Taking the stairs in The Room would be a challenge for even the fittest of people. Faced with a shopping centre site that lacked a strong context, Joey Ho Design created an intense spatial experience for this Italian restaurant by drawing inspiration from Dutch artist MC Escher’s impossible perspectives.

The dining area is confined within a singular space – just like a room. Ho and his team distorted visual perceptions of the small space to go beyond its physical limitations.

Architectural components such as windows, balconies and staircases became the basic ingredients for the creation of a new spatial order.

These components, which are attached to the blacked-out ceiling and walls, are reflected in mirrors that contribute to the space-bending effect.

The window is used as one of the key components, and is detailed as a lighting fixture on the ceiling and as literal window to the shopping centre, in addition to the mirror function.

The restaurant was to present an impression of being sophisticated yet affordable, and the furnishings – rather more tame in terms of form – play a role here, while grounding the customer to the dining experience. Vibrant red upholstery, however, contributes to the graphic impact of the space.

The kitchen, service spaces and bathrooms are completely out of sight, being concealed down angled corridors in areas beyond the bounds of the main dining room. Guests can thus focus on their experience of both the space and the food. 

Joey Ho Design
joeyhodesign.com