Prize(s) Winners in Bar and Restaurant Lighting Design
Company Focus Lighting
Lead Designers Ryan Fischer
Other Designer's names Taylor Frith-Brown, Maya Delvillar, Kelly Hannon
Client Coje Management
Photo Credits Ryan Fischer
Completion Date September 1st, 2024
Project Location Boston, MA
Entry DescriptionMr. H, a luxe, dramatic Boston restaurant is inspired by the life of a Shanghai soup dumpling vendor who spent many late nights serving his community before deciding to share a piece of home with Boston. Intimate yet high-contrast layers of light reveal the details of Mr. H’s story.
Guests enter a mysterious corridor, drawn to the warmth of the host stand. A creamy shade on a golden base acts as a beacon. Recessed wallwashers graze hundreds of mysterious tea drawers, intriguing diners.
In the dining room, a convex ceiling hangs overheard, laid with hundreds of green tiles. After many mockups with tiles ordered directly from China, a narrow beam linear LED was chosen to uplight the internal roof, set at the precise level to perfectly accentuate the curved structure.
Tight spots hit the tables, creating pools of light that evoke the feel of streetlamps guiding guests through the space. In contrast to the dark wood of the feature bar, a curved linear striplight illuminates a shiny red tile fascia reminiscent of bold neon graffiti in Shanghai.
The dumpling lounge is a metamorphosis of the humble food cart. A shining lotus decorative fixture blooms in a red cove and linear LED fixtures reveal a satin finish, while tiny uplights animate a magnificent folkloric golden dragon. Uplights hidden behind banquettes hit custom wallpaper revealing the simple, but powerful beginnings of Mr H.