△ Reception area
Highland Star Kitchen is perched on the top floor of Yanhan Gaodi, a vibrant, multi-purpose space and artistic landmark nestled in urban nature. Situated within the Overseas Chinese Town Creative Park in Shenzhen’s Nanshan District, it is bordered by Yanhan Mountain to the west and offers sweeping views of the cityscape to the east.
My first visit was on an autumn morning, and stepping into the space, I was immediately captivated by the natural surroundings. The atmosphere evoked the poetic sentiment: “Watching Donggao at dusk, where do you long to lean? The trees are painted in autumn hues, and the mountains glow under the setting sun.” Surrounded by dense forests and scattered stones, facing the mountain, the site offers a tranquil escape from the city’s hustle and bustle.
Our goal was to create a venue where guests can enjoy exquisite food and varied social experiences, seamlessly integrated with the original natural environment. Built along the mountain’s contours, the design emphasizes harmonious coexistence with nature.
Each morning at Highland Star Kitchen is filled with the gentle breath of nature, where the vitality of sunlight generously pours over the landscape. As the sun’s rays touch the mountain rocks, casting faint shadows from branches and leaves, guests are invited to experience the rhythm of day, night, and the changing seasons through an intimate connection with the natural spirit.
We aimed to preserve the authentic character of the stones and transcend the urban environment’s gradual encroachment, allowing visitors to feel nature’s subtle shifts through a comfortable, breathing space—originating from and returning to nature.
△ Passage
To create a space that blends structural design with natural elements, we employed lightweight, tension-rich I-beam structures. This approach reflects the spirit of modernist architecture, emphasizing “free planes” and “flowing spaces” with simple façades and refined materials. This design fosters seamless connections between indoor and outdoor areas, allowing guests to immerse themselves in nature and savor the time gifted by it.
At the entrance, a large white bear sculpture invites contemplation, symbolizing our own rush into life’s complexities and our search for peace. Above, a three-dimensional pendant array mimics the natural undulations of a mountain, with sunlight and shadows playing off its surfaces and the natural black mountain stone backdrop.
Ascending the stairs, visitors enter a long corridor framed by box-shaped white walls, guiding them toward the restaurant’s private rooms and leisure areas.
△ Activity and Courtyard Area
The leisure activity area functions as a transitional lobby for the restaurant, offering guests a space to relax, enjoy coffee and afternoon tea, and wait comfortably. It also accommodates large-scale events with its spacious layout.
The space preserves the original white I-beam structural framework and is bordered by green plants and natural gravel, creating a simple, natural ambiance. At night, diners can gaze at the stars through the translucent glass, savor delicious food and wine, and unwind in the peaceful mountain setting.
The private rooms feature diverse layouts without excessive luxury. Soft beige tones dominate the décor, creating a calm, leisurely atmosphere. Skylights invite natural sunlight to gently illuminate the space, with light slowly moving across textured steel plate surfaces to the sofa area, casting dynamic shadows that celebrate nature’s beauty.
The soft flames from the stove add warmth and serenity, inviting guests to pause and appreciate the subtle elegance within the space.
Surrounded by lush greenery outside the dining area, guests can enjoy delicious meals and intimate conversations with small groups of friends in a peaceful setting. Opening the terrace doors and windows brings the sounds of cicadas and birdsong, creating a natural soundtrack that enhances the dining experience.
This tranquil environment offers a refuge from the complexities of the outside world, providing a space for inner peace and relaxation.
△ Private room area
The washbasin, crafted from natural stone, embraces its raw, unrefined surface, symbolizing nature’s beauty in imperfection. This organic approach offers visual diversity and freedom, allowing the eyes to appreciate and organize the space’s elements naturally.
Natural landscapes carry deep meanings, evoking emotional responses and rich connotations that contribute to the overall atmosphere.
△ Structural diagram
△ Axonometric diagram
△ Elevation drawing
△ Plan view
Project Information
Project Name: Highland Star Kitchen
Design Agency: Modern and Ancient Phoenix Space Planning Agency (WWW.JINGFH.COM)
Lead Designer: Ye Hui
Design Team: Chen Jian, Lin Weibin, Chen Xuexian
Construction Team: Universal Gravity
Soft Decoration Team: Fengqi Wutong
Location: Shenzhen, Guangdong Province
Area: Approximately 1280 m²
Completion Date: January 14, 2020
Main Materials: Cement base, white textured paint, gray cement paint, antique wood, fluorocarbon-coated gray steel, glass bricks
Photography: Ouyang Yun
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