The project locates in Danzishi Old Street in Chongqing Province where there are lots of historical buildings. The total area is 130 square meters with three arched doorways facing the street. The priority in the design of this project is, on the one hand, to keep its brand attitude of making complex things simple, and on the other hand, to exploit the advantages of the historic streets. The aim is to provide costumer with perfect dining experience without many decorative elements, which can keep the integrity of the space.

SoJeez is a light meal brand whose philosophy is making complex things simple. Basing on its idea, we raised the concept of “Subtraction Space”, which can not only get rid of the complicated decoration, but also keep the building’s original condition. Besides, chiseling the wall can make it rough and it can create a better dining atmosphere, too. We choose the brushed metal as the main
material for it can present a striking contrast to the rough wall. Comparison can add to space dimension and furthermore add to spatial experience. After the elaborate collocation of the rough materials like concrete, metal, log and stone, the space layers are enriched and details are refined.

In the original site, the whole space is cracked with a structure column beside the window breaking its integrality. The normal way would use structured seats which can make it orderly. We, on the contrary, break the space, placing long tables, odd seats and booth according to the specific scene, which can make customers feel more comfortable. In this way, the space is variable and customers can have different experience even if they are in the same area. In the meantime, the flexibility of the seats provides customers with the flexibility of their dining form. As a result, the availability of seating capacity raised, too. In addition to Subtraction, breaking the original wall is another way to make things simple. At the end of the narrow aisle, we break the wall to make an arched doorway that can bring more natural light and make the brushed metal material glossier. Also, the doorway can borrow the unique street view into the space. Thus customer’s dining experience will be better.

As for the space shaping, we continue to adopt the concept of subtraction by employing the basic geometrical element. Whether it is the rectangle color blocks on the wall or it is the wire drawing
plates running through the space are the uses of geometric figures, which can make the space changeable. The combination of metal round table and wooden bench can make the space smooth and fine, full of details. In this project, we aim at conveying a new way of viewing things, and it is also the concept of SoJeez which is making things simple and using the unpretending will to face the difficulties bravely.