The YooYuumi Kids Club in Beijing is not your typical parent-and-child restaurant.

Departing from traditional parent-child spaces like playgrounds and daycare, the theatrical restaurant is a place to gather, socialize, and play, catering to the needs of both children and parents in a visually impactful setting. The 1000-metres square facility is designed by X-Living, a sought-after Shanghai-based design studio whose core concept is to create value through dramatic design, with previous works including the fairy-tale-like Swimming and Recreational Kids Club in Suzhou, as well as the spectacular, cave-like Zhong Shu Ge Library in Gui Yang, China. Prior to designing the YooYuumi Kids Club, the design team first observed the psychological needs of the adults in order to create an environment that balances functionality with strong aesthetics.

Strong colors paired with soft curves and textures of draping stage curtains against a predominantly white canvas come together to create a whimsical interior reminiscent of dining within a castle. Here, the child can join others at one of the many designated play areas, including the kids’ ball pool, while the parents dine in comfort.

Upon arrival, guests will first enter through the grand front hall that includes the reception, retail, and leisure space amongst other functions. The grand front hall extends into a shoe-changing area, giving guests an impression of walking through a grandeur castle corridor. Exquisite large wardrobes and display cabinets are used as shoe cabinets, which can both protect guest privacy as well as retain an elegant interior atmosphere. Other pieces of furniture, including selective chairs and coffee tables, are used for retail display where guests can find a selection of thoughtfully curated, parent-child products chosen by the owner.

The vision is to create a space that evokes a sense of ritual to customers, drawing inspiration from scenes of western aristocratic life, which inspired the restaurant’s sophisticated atmosphere and intricate design details. A strong, theatrical theme can be found in the area, with design elements including rich colors often associated with theatre, including gold, burgundy and deep, royal blues. The colors are also often accompanied by textures that emulate the folds of drawn curtains in a classical theatre. Intricate crown mouldings and decorative arches add drama to the space in a playful manner, adding a unique design flair by juxtapositioning the classical and child-play elements, like the ‘Sand Pit’ sign on a polished gold lamp.

Every furniture piece seems to have leapt out of a fairy-tale, giving adults a banquet hall-like lounging space where they can spend the entire afternoon catching up with friends. The open concept design expands the space further, also giving parents a better view of their child as they play at the castle-like play areas along the outskirts of the restaurant and the flexible path that connects the assorted rides.

The design team paid close attention to creating distinct spatial separation between the children’s play area and the elegant dining setting without the use of physical barriers. This allows for a tailored atmosphere in each space depending on the purpose of the area, playful and whimsical in the children’s play area and refined glamour in the dining space. To ensure the children’s area doesn’t deviate too far from the central theme of the restaurant, a similar color palette creates consistency for the play-zone elements such as the duotone ball pool.

X-Living’s strong architectural background is apparent through the use of architectural elements within the interior, including the various arches, faux pillars, nook seating booths, and arcade walkways to create a sense of dimensional complexity and spatial hierarchy. The approach to deconstruction, reorganization and rounding the elements leaves the space with a whimsical and artistic exquisiteness that will intrigue a full spectrum of visitors, making it the perfect place for the parents to explore with their child.

The private event room is a subtle reminiscent of an Alice in Wonderland tea party, bringing joy with a familiar children’s story loved by all ages.

In a separate playroom, the design team created a trichromatic space with white, blue and gold. Intricate floral patterns reminiscent of vintage Chinese vases are placed coherently throughout, making appearances on different objects including the soft leather loveseat and chairs, as well as the cabinets. The predominantly white canvas shows off the complex patterns like ink on paper, captivating with tasteful illustrations that can be found at every corner. A touch of gold from the decorative arched enamel adds a touch of warmth to the room and elaborates on the dramatic theatrical theme of the venue. Greenery evokes a sense of comfort and relaxation, making the room more approachable. The unique concept not only strikes a balance between the aesthetic charm of China and the West but also balances seriousness and playfulness, appealing to guests of all age groups.

The YooYuumi Kids Club is a great example of how impactful design can transform your experience, even in the form of a parent-child facility. We also loved the incorporation of architectural elements to create complexity and spatial hierarchy in a large space, bringing a dreamy, real-life fairy tale setting that can be enjoyed by everyone.

Project Details

Project Name: YooYuumi Kids Club

Location: Beijing, China

Area: 1000㎡

Completion Time: July, 2019

Design Studio: X+LIVING

Chief Designer: Li Xiang

Project Directors: Fan Chen, Zhang Wenji

Customized Furniture: XiangCASA

Photography: Shao Feng