Try GOLD - Free
Versatility And Chinese Sensibility
d+a
|Issue 118
The challenge of juggling a unique experience with maximising operational space was overcome at the chinese national restaurant through hidden panels and eye-catching design elements.

Located on the seventh floor of Swissotel Jakarta, The Chinese National is definitely not your typical Chinese restaurant.
Firstly, it offers diners not one, but four distinctive dining destinations.
Drawing inspiration from China’s four great inventions of papermaking, printing, gunpowder and the compass, the team at EDG Design transformed the space into a tea house by day and cocktail bar by night (Letterpress); a dumpling and noodle shop (Iron Needle); a Szechuan restaurant (Black Powder Red); and a luxury Cantonese roast duck venue (Paper Duck).
“It was vital that The Chinese National was positioned as an upscale F&B destination, with a freestanding restaurant spirit, despite being located within the hotel,” says Michael Goodman, Partner and Managing Director at EDG Design.
“Aside from ensuring that we utilised the space in a clever way that meant that while the venue as a whole was able to accommodate all guests over breakfast, it was also critical that these specialty venues didn’t compete with each other.
“Beyond interior design, we had to consider the strategic approach as well... We knew that one restaurant would never fill that many seats the rest of the day, but there was a huge demand for food in general.
“From there it was logical to create four different venues that spoke to four different types of guests and price points.”
DESIGNING FOR FLEXIBILITY
This story is from the Issue 118 edition of d+a.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM d+a

d+a
designing the future
Happening in Frankfurt, Germany, Ambiente 2026 expands with fresh concepts in interiors, hospitality, and lifestyle
1 mins
Issue 136

d+a
mastering water
From water-saving innovation to smart toilets, Geberit continues to set benchmarks in bathroom technology, delivering solutions where design and function are inseparable.
2 mins
Issue 136

d+a
a winery that floats above the vines
Sauska Tokaj winery is an architectural statement set amid one of the world's great wine regions. Its hovering form, immersive visitor experience, and cutting-edge design celebrate both the legacy and future of Tokaj winemaking.
1 min
Issue 136

d+a
mountains and gardens
Forbes Residences takes WOHA's discourse on residential high-rise living to Perth's Applecross suburb.
3 mins
Issue 136

d+a
craft, culture, and contemporary living
Zucchetti continues to innovate through visionary collaborations, sustainable practices, and a design culture that bridges past and present.
3 mins
Issue 136

d+a
the new language of stone
Timeless yet forward-looking, Antolini's natural stone redefines luxury through sustainability, durability, and design – a vision brought to Singapore by Hafary.
2 mins
Issue 136

d+a
augmented forms
Kuala Lumpur Architecture Festival's mainstay event, DATUM:KL, fielded a star-studded international roster showcasing a breadth of contemporary designs and ideas across the globe.
4 mins
Issue 136

d+a
DESIGN TRENDS OF 2026
Innovation meets responsibility: from adaptive furniture and tactile linens to sustainable bathrooms, smart lighting, and timeless stone surfaces, D+A explores trends set to shape design in the coming year.
11 mins
Issue 136

d+a
shaped with clay
KKAA'S UCCA Clay not only showcases traditional pottery craft but uses clay products to create a unique, authentic architecture.
3 mins
Issue 136

d+a
celebration of craft
An exclusive collaboration that transforms natural fibres, artisanal dyeing and intricate weaving into resort wear and amenities.
3 mins
Issue 136
Translate
Change font size