studio doho designs a contemporary eatery reflecting hawaiian origins in shanghai

an ‘urban surf’ concept drove the design for the new poke poke restaurant in shanghai by studio doho. the 32 sqm project includes interior renovation and ground floor façade improvement of an existing building on a bustling city street.

the client’s brief challenged studio doho to create a contemporary eatery that reflects hawaiian origins of its food, within the constraints of a small space. limited streetfront façade and existing interior structural walls forced the entrance to be moved off the main street, creating a large solid wall at the main storefront. studio doho responded to this challenge by creating a gradient tile wall that represents the sea meeting the sky.

the mosaic wall stands out from the streetside and attracts customers to the store entrance, while providing a place for local residents to gather and socialize. an outdoor bar counter highlights the façade with colorful blue curved tip, reminiscent of an old wooden surfboard. the curved counter transitions into the ordering area, linking the interior and exterior space to optimize seating for customers. the colorful material palette was kept simple on the cozy interior, creating a relaxing café atmosphere.