DL Atelier sets waterfront sculptural restaurant on LuxeIsland
LuxeIsland Restaurant, designed by DL Atelier, forms part of the newly developed LuxeIsland project in Wuhan, China. Conceived within a children’s playground, the building occupies a prominent position at the island’s gateway and was alternatively titled The Brave Cabin, a name that reflects its location among climbing structures intended to encourage exploration and courage. With an interior area of less than 200 sqm, the restaurant emphasizes open, shaded spaces that extend the dining experience into the landscape.
The project builds on a long-standing collaboration between DL Atelier and LUXELAKES, following previous work such as Dotsss Children’s Museum, Edenland Architectural, and The CAPE Commercial District. The design approach for LuxeIsland Restaurant centers on the idea of creating a compact but visually expressive structure that operates as both a dining venue and a landmark visible from across the river. Formally, the building takes the shape of a small mountain composed of interlocking, angular volumes that appear to rise from the ground. Its massing curves gently along the island’s shoreline, while its height and scale ensure visibility through surrounding trees. The structure invites exploration as visitors approach along the open lawns and wooded paths.
all images by ©Zhu Yumeng – Coppak Studio
interlocking angular Volumes outline LuxeIsland Restaurant
The final design adopts an efficient system of flat planes clad entirely in solid wood strips. The architectural team at DL Atelier selected this design approach for construction due to its feasibility and visual coherence. The wooden exterior gives the building a warm, tactile character while maintaining a sculptural form that integrates with the natural setting. The building’s roof structure employs a steel space frame, enabling large cantilevers, some exceeding ten meters, and accommodating the restaurant’s open plan. Four clusters of composite steel columns, clad in black stone panels, support the main volume. Portions of this cladding extend outward to create functional elements such as outdoor seating, takeout counters, and wash stations. The triangular openings embedded in the roof serve both as visual apertures and as housings for interior lighting and mechanical systems.
Internally, the restaurant and water bar are enclosed by full-height glass walls, establishing visual continuity between indoor activity and the surrounding park. Large mechanical and kitchen systems are concealed within the roof volume to maintain the purity of the form. The roof’s multi-layered geometry is central to the overall composition, enhancing spatial hierarchy and providing a dynamic profile to the site. As one of the first standalone structures to open on LuxeIsland, the restaurant acts as a showcase for the development’s architectural identity. It combines structural precision with an expressive silhouette that interacts with its recreational setting. The project demonstrates how compact architecture can operate simultaneously as infrastructure, landmark, and social space, inviting both play and pause along the island’s waterfront.
LuxeIsland Restaurant by DL Atelier sits at the entrance of LuxeIsland in Wuhan
a sculptural landmark designed within a children’s playground
located at the island’s gateway, the structure is visible from across the river
shaded semi-outdoor spaces extend the dining area into the landscape
the form resembles a small mountain composed of angular, interlocking volumes
composite steel columns clad in black stone anchor the main volume
the structure’s height ensures visibility through the surrounding trees
solid wood strips clad the exterior, enhancing texture and warmth
a wooden and glass facade gives the building a lightweight, natural presence
full-height glass walls connect the interior to the surrounding park
triangular roof openings integrate lighting and ventilation systems
the massing curves gently along the island’s shoreline
the layered roof geometry defines the building’s distinctive silhouette
visitors approach the building through open lawns and woodland paths
combining structure, landscape, and play, LuxeIsland Restaurant serves as both dining space and landmark
project info:
name: LuxeIsland Restaurant
architect: DL Atelier
design team: Liu Yang, Xu Dan, Hu Yiwei
location: Wuhan, China
photographer: Zhu Yumeng – Coppak Studio | @Yumeng_Zhu_coppakstudio
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edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom
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