Red Jade Restaurant

Red Jade restaurant

English /日本語 / 한국어

About the project

Red jade restaurant -a retro restaurant with light
Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
interior and exterior, 2017
178.5 cubic meters
one-way mirrors,wood, lightings, glasses, tiles
electronic devices and controllers, and other interior materials

Red Jade Restaurant is a project that involved a complete renovation of a 15-year-old restaurant, from branding to interior design. The restaurant was named “Red Jade” by translating the owner’s name, Hong Soon-ok, into English. Red Jade Restaurant is designed with a retro theme and ease of maintenance in mind. The restaurant’s one-way mirrors and various installations allow visitors to feel the events that this space has experienced along with the owner over its long history. Additionally, the lighting changes with the seasons, visually representing the passage of time. In this project, I worked with one carpenter and two assistants on design and planning, blueprint drafting, woodworking, electrical planning, plumbing layout, tile installation, store sign production, bathroom structure construction, and architectural design. I also undertook table production, and the design of metal doors and kitchen facilities, which were completed by specialized companies. This project allowed me to gain diverse experience in the overall construction and interior design process.
Main hall lighting fixtures

The lighting fixtures in the main hall utilize one-way mirrors to create unique and vivid lighting effects. One-way mirrors are placed on all four sides to allow low-intensity light sources to permeate, creating an overall soft and cozy atmosphere. This design gives an impression of infinite depth when viewed from the inside, as if the mirrors are facing each other, and focuses all the light onto the tables below. From the outside, it creates a visual effect of endless continuity of bulbs. These lighting fixtures symbolize the long history of the restaurant that has stood the test of time and the eternity of the future that lies ahead.

Infinite Space of Bulbs

(Men’s Restroom)

This decorative project focuses on creating a space that connects the past, present, and future by utilizing bulbs of various sizes. The current shop owner met the owner of a nearby radio repair shop, who was fixing a light bulb, while working at a restaurant located at this very spot 40 years ago. They got married and have been happily married ever since. This project was designed to visually recreate the owner’s precious memories and share them with customers. The goal was to imbue the space with special meaning by capturing the warm memories of that time through the bulb decorations. By using bulbs of various sizes, this decoration transforms a small space into a broad and unique environment, providing customers with a visually appealing setting. This bulb decoration offers more than just visual beauty; it conveys a profound story within the space, providing customers with an unforgettable experience.

Infinite cherry blossom space

(the women’s bathroom)

This decoration, symbolizing fully bloomed cherry blossoms, represents the happiest and most vibrant periods in people’s lives. During a time of poverty and hard labor, the restaurant owner met the radio repair shop owner in this area, and their love began to blossom, changing their lives. The memories of this area bloomed like spring cherry blossoms, and the restaurant’s memories transformed beautifully as well. This decoration revives the owner’s precious memories and allows them to share this touching story with customers. The cherry blossom decorations transform a small space into a broad and unique environment, providing customers with a warm and moving experience. This project transforms the restaurant into a place of emotion beyond a simple consumption space, offering customers a special experience and eliciting a positive response.
Wall Treatment and Wiring

Plastering was applied to exposed concrete walls to provide insulation and waterproofing without adding additional layers. Merbau wood moldings were installed in areas prone to visitor contact or potential damage. Plywood was also cut and placed on curved sections to maintain a horizontal surface without building a wall. LED wiring was inserted into gaps between Merbau wood floor panels, resulting in a 15-25mm gap. Some panels of Merbau wood flooring were cut to install LED heat sink plates.

Indirect floor lighting

I installed LED lighting along the window and floor using wires connected from the fuse box. This lighting can adjust brightness and color temperature according to time and season, allowing guests to enjoy their meals with a cozy atmosphere where they can focus on each other while having a clear view wherever needed.
Wall and ceiling lighting for the event room.

In a room with adjustable glass partitions, we integrated remaining exposed concrete walls with lighting fixtures during the dismantling of the previous structure. Embedding a frame structure into the walls, we installed LEDs along the lower edges to illuminate the concrete texture, mimicking the appearance of flowing water. The brightness and color of the lighting can be adjusted via remote control, allowing for different atmospheres depending on the season. Additionally, mirrors were used to reflect this fixed setup, making the space appear expanded. Alongside wooden frames, lighting lining installed provides focused light in divided spaces, enabling customers to see each other from various perspectives.
A retro-style kitchen

The kitchen maintains a retro feel when viewed from the outside, while inside, modern appliances have been strategically placed. External decorations also highlight intricate details using traditional techniques, enhancing its overall appearance.
The main table

The main hall table is designed to minimize obstruction to the movement of visitors’ legs. In the center, it is decorated with artificial succulent plants. Due to its unique shape at the bottom, special table legs had to be custom-made to properly support it.

Ceramic tile

To convey a retro feel and ensure easy maintenance, the floors of the main hall and bathroom were designed with tiles in various patterns, creating a mosaic-like appearance akin to a carpet. The fuse box door was crafted to resemble a brick wall for aesthetic coherence.

The waiting room

The staircase connecting the first and second floors was removed, and steel plates were welded to create a new space for the waiting room.

Speaker wiring

Conduit piping was utilized to accentuate the exposed ceiling look and was also used to conceal the wiring for 12 high-quality audio speakers, resembling antique conduits.
The main sign

The main sign of the restaurant is designed to be very bright even during the day using LED bars, compensating for the dark entrance. It reflects the interior ambiance of the restaurant and is designed with LED bulbs that mimic filament bulbs to enhance its appearance.
The window sign

I installed LED bars using a 50mm gap between the windows on the first and second floors. Cut into letter shapes from light-diffusing acrylic, they are installed inside. This setup effectively promotes the restaurant on the building facade without the need for additional sign fixtures. The lighting here also includes adjustable color control capabilities.

Facilities Construction

The kitchen’s position underwent multiple revisions based on geomancy theories, eventually completed using exposed piping to expand usable space.

Design

This restaurant became famous for its design that accommodates a large number of people, antique décor, creative installations, and most importantly, for sharing beautiful memories with customers on their social media.