For millennia, the Beijing Central Axis has engendered the planning of the Chinese capital, reflecting the nation’s cultural spirit and ancient ingenuity. This 7.8-kilometres-long axis that runs from the north to the south through the heart of the city, boasts imperial palaces and gardens, ancient ceremonial and public facilities that persist as testimonies to the urban planning traditions of China—enunciating the notions of order, centrality, hierarchy and evolution. At the northern end of the axis is the historic Hong’en Taoist Temple, also known as the Dragon’s Tail, preserving over 700 years of history. Within this cultural and historic treasure trove, DSC·Design has injected a restaurant space, known as the GUI TEMPLE, whose design takes cues from Beijing’s traditional spatial design principles while embodying Neo-Jinghua aesthetics—a visual framework characterised by a blend of traditional Chinese elements and contemporary sensibilities.

With a distinguished oeuvre spanning solutions ranging from spatial planning, interior design and decor to art installation and engineering, Beijing-based DSC·Design operates via shared working methods encompassing novel design ideas and layered creative thinking. The GUI Temple restaurant, perched on the Beijing Central Axis, reiterates its ethos of a global approach.

Hong'en Taoist Temple, marking the north end of this axis, has followed a timeline of numerous transformations: a Buddhist temple in the Yuan Dynasty, the Hong'en Taoist Temple in the Qing Dynasty, the second Factory of Beijing Standard Parts Industry Group Co., Ltd. in the 1950s, the Bell Tower vegetable market in the 1990s and now, a cultural museum featuring Beijing Central Axis. In the restaurant design—from the colour palette and furniture scheme to the surface details—the Chinese architects embraced Beijing's heritage, ceremonial order and spatial aesthetics while nodding to contemporary lifestyles.

The Beijing Central Axis crosses the west wing rooms that the GUI TEMPLE restaurant now inhabits. In the interiors, traces of the industrial era from the 1950s sit in stark contrast to the ancient Chinese architecture style boasting red walls and flying eaves. This dialogue becomes an inspiration for the designers who harness the continuation of history as a central element. The interior design incorporates columns left behind by the old factory, while Qing Dynasty-style interlocking brackets are added to the ceiling. These elements, strategically placed with the lighting, create a sophisticated ambience evoking a space illuminated by palace lanterns. The interplay of light and shadow accentuates the contours of the interlocking brackets, flushing the restaurant and the vibrant floral art in a warm glow.

As one transitions from the opening dining hall to the private rooms, the floor of the corridor flaunts the pattern of the Beijing Central Axis. The integration of the spatial sequence in the route recalls the journey from Yongdingmen Gate to the Bell and Drum Towers as guests walk through the space. “Efforts were made to preserve the industrial traces of the original factory while harmonising them with the aesthetic scenes of Beijing's traditional design and architecture. For instance, the inkstone of ancient literati has been cleverly reimagined as a door handle,” reads the official release.

The design of the private rooms reproduced the Ming Dynasty murals—treasures of the local Fahai Temple—while also speaking of the Hong'en Taoist Temple’s history. Cement slurry has been applied to the edges of the murals to symbolise the revival of a masterpiece once overshadowed by time. The overall visual language of the space emphasises rustic, natural textures with red wooden structures complementing the large cement cladding panels.

The path of ascension to the second floor is defined by the rough texture of the preserved industrial ceiling beams. Within an otherwise quaint space, these become elements of surprise and visual impact. The design language maintains uniformity throughout the space. Modern window frames and diverse Ming Dynasty murals juxtapose the old and the new. In the large private room, a traditional long table and a modern banquet round table are positioned against a warm red backdrop, referencing the Eastern aesthetic of square and circle and the spirit of Oriental philosophy.

The second floor houses the restaurant's largest private room, named GUI. With ceremonial signage on the floor, guests are ushered into a spacious dining environment clad in Neo-Jinghua aesthetics. The central circular concave ceiling with a beam, drawing from the ancient sundial, aligns with the golden landscape wall on one side, narrating the evolution of the Beijing Central Axis throughout history. The lighting design within the space subtly highlights the relief artwork in the centre: an image of the sun rising and casting its light over the Beijing Central Axis. On the generous terrace space, guests relish picturesque views of the Bell Tower whilst savouring the flavours of Beijing cuisine away from the urban bustle.

Yellows and reds popping throughout the restaurant are emblematic of the Forbidden City, alluding to nobility and prosperity in ancient thought. The order of the central axis, the colour palette and the interplay of light and shadow intertwine to build a bridge to cultural heritage and spiritual continuity. DSC·Design’s singular approach towards the hospitality design project redefines the experience of the ancient—painting the history of Beijing and its architecture in a contemporary light.