MEET&EAT Hengyang Store by LEL DESIGN STUDIO: A Vibrant Multifunctional Dining Space in Hunan

MEET&EAT Hengyang Store, designed by LEL DESIGN STUDIO, marks the brand’s first presence in Hunan, transforming a former “featureless” mall into a dynamic community dining hub. Completed in 2024, this 1,200 m² project redefines urban dining spaces by combining restaurant functionality with social engagement, creating a versatile “third space” for the community.

Concept and Spatial Strategy

MEET&EAT (M&E) is a forward-thinking commercial brand focused on multifunctional dining environments. Following the success of the More Than Eat project on Shanghai’s Julu Road, the Hengyang store continues the vision of spaces that foster social interaction, creativity, and community engagement. These spaces are designed to be open, flexible, and shared, accommodating daily dining, community events, small performances, and even temporary markets.

Brand Identity Through Design

To reinforce MEET&EAT’s brand identity, LEL DESIGN STUDIO adopted a red color scheme closely aligned with the brand palette. The consistent use of red elements: ranging from open fireplace tables and chairs at the entrance to steel frameworks on the façade, ceiling light tracks, and street lamps, creates a cohesive spatial system that injects energy into the previously bland commercial environment.

A 40-meter-long red steel framework acts as a striking architectural feature, bridging the indoor and outdoor spaces. This framework forms a welcoming small square at the entrance while simultaneously drawing attention from passersby. Transparent glass panels allow natural light to fill the interiors, while the red eaves define comfortable seating areas. On sunny days, folding fans open to extend indoor activities to the outdoor square, seamlessly blurring the indoor-outdoor boundary. Integrated exhibition facilities, lighting, and sound systems enhance the versatility of this multifunctional space.

Functional Layout and Flexibility

The store’s layout centers around a shared multifunctional dining area, complemented by an internal street, a primary dining space, and multiple local food stalls. These stalls are arranged both in clusters and dispersed throughout the space, offering visitors a variety of culinary experiences. The shared dining area is intentionally flexible, supporting social gatherings, daily dining, live performances, and community markets, providing a vibrant atmosphere that adapts to different activities throughout the day.

By combining innovative interior design, brand identity, and multifunctional functionality, MEET&EAT Hengyang Store demonstrates how commercial dining spaces can serve as dynamic urban community hubs, blending social interaction with culinary experiences in a visually striking environment.

Project Details:

• Location: Hengyang, Hunan, China
• Design Studio: LEL DESIGN STUDIO
• Lead Architects: Kuai Yu, Sai Luo
• Area: 1,200 m²
• Year Completed: 2024
• Photography: yuuuunstudio

All photographs are works of  yuuuunstudio