Project Background
POETS is a premium Thai‑cuisine brand featured on the Must‑Eat List for consecutive years, celebrated for its unique aesthetic of “Thai rainforest meets French light luxury”. From Nanjing to Shanghai, every POETS outlet has become a city dining landmark thanks to its highly distinctive spatial ambience.
Commissioned by the brand, SITU took deep part in detailed spatial design development and full‑scope project delivery for POETS Shanghai. Our brief went far beyond “renovating a restaurant”: we needed to translate the emotional value of an established hospitality brand — tropical relaxation, Southeast Asian richness and French refinement — into a tangible, inhabitable and operable commercial venue.
Design Concept: A Rainforest Dream in the Heart of the City
The spatial soul of POETS is “escape”. Upon stepping through the entrance, diners should be detached from Shanghai’s urban rhythm and immersed in a sensory narrative of Bangkok, rainforests and soft summer night breezes. Centred on this core experience, the SITU design team defined three spatial strategies:
First, imagery translation. “Tai Shi” (lionhead goldfish) serves both as the brand totem and the visual anchor of the space. We extended the vivid imagery of lionhead goldfish from the entrance art installation to interior metal partitions, cabinet handle patterns and wall reliefs, turning brand symbols from standalone decor into implicit language woven into the spatial fabric.
Second, tropical order. A tropical rainforest is not a chaotic pile of plants but an ecosystem of layers, density variation and light‑shadow interplay. On ceilings, vertical facades and partition systems, SITU used custom woodwork and metal grilles to simulate rainforest vertical stratification. These structures act as supporting frames for live plants while reserving concealed, organised routing for MEP systems including lighting, air‑conditioning and fire protection.
Third, French restraint. The exuberance of Thai aesthetics is contained within a French‑infused structural framework. Built on low‑saturation warm tones, we used vintage patterned tiles, curved terminations, brass detailing and soft diffused light to balance the intensity of tropical elements. Beyond its photo‑worthy atmosphere, the space retains the restraint and comfort befitting a fine‑dining restaurant.
Full‑Scope Execution: Atmosphere Built to Withstand High Table Turnover
The aesthetics of a dining space must ultimately stand the test of operation. SITU delivered full‑chain execution covering design development, factory production and on‑site installation. Craft standards from high‑end residential customisation — millimetre‑tolerance installation, PUR edge banding, concealed‑fix technology and eco‑friendly base materials — were transferred to commercial contexts, with systematic optimisations tailored for the special operating conditions of F&B venues.
Moisture‑proofing and weather resistance: High humidity generated by tropical plant arrangements and Thai‑food cooking requires moisture‑resistant base materials and sealing techniques for all custom cabinets and wall cladding systems to prevent deformation and cracking over long‑term use.
Metal‑and‑wood coordination: Numerous curved forms, art‑installation plinths and display cabinets demand precise coordination among stainless steel, brass, woodwork and glass. SITU’s in‑house factory completed integrated prefabrication of multi‑material assemblies to minimise on‑site splicing errors.
Lighting‑and‑material pre‑validation: Under warm‑toned lighting, materials show drastically different colour‑rendering performance. During the sampling phase, we performed side‑by‑side colour comparison for wood veneers, metals, paints and fabrics under identical light sources to guarantee final outcomes align with design intent.
Balancing construction schedule and quality control: Commercial projects are highly deadline‑driven for opening dates. Working alongside the main contractor, SITU’s in‑house installation teams (average 10+ years of experience) devised overlapping‑work plans to shorten timelines without compromising craft standards.
Space Highlights
Entrance Art‑Installation Zone. The lionhead‑goldfish art installation and custom water‑feature plinth serve as strong brand recall points. SITU delivered structural design, metal finishing and concealed MEP integration for the plinth.
Circular Bar. As the visual centrepiece, the bar is clad in curved stainless steel and woodwork. SITU undertook factory prefabrication and on‑site installation for the bar cabinetry to ensure seamless curved surfaces and precise terminations.
Rainforest Booth Area. Custom wall panels and partition systems emulate jungle layers while delivering acoustic comfort and dining privacy.
Dome & High‑Ceiling Zone. The multi‑layer sculpted ceiling integrates plants, lighting and fire‑protection systems. SITU completed detailed design and installation for ceiling woodwork and metal components.
Conclusion
Upon opening, POETS Shanghai quickly became a sought‑after dining destination, with its space itself generating organic social‑media sharing among diners. For SITU, this project validates one truth: high‑end customisation expertise serves not only private residences but can also infuse soul into commercial spaces. From edge banding on a single cabinet set to the overall ambience of an entire restaurant, SITU upholds consistent standards: to realise designs with precision and create spaces that stand the dual test of time and heavy foot traffic.
