JUGGLING FORMS
Tucked within the quiet residential fabric of Yuyuan Road in Shanghai, a compact but striking restaurant suddenly punctuates the street. Oversized signage and a vivid palette introduce a character that is both flamboyant and shy—eagerly presenting its quirks to each guest who steps inside. Within, a sequence of sensory encounters unfolds, turning everyday dining into a theatrical experience.
The idea for BizyBoy began as a drawing in co-founder Yang’s notebook. He came to us with a sketch of a juggling boy, imagining a restaurant as lively and layered as a circus troupe. “Juggling” became our conceptual anchor—implying performance, poise, and the constant calibration of multiple tasks. From that, a spatial narrative took shape.
Slicing Architecture
The original entrance was recessed into a sharp corner of the building, where two structural columns obstructed access and visibility. Our first move was to open up the space by dismantling non-structural walls between the columns—pushing for maximum openness while carefully avoiding structural hazards. We embedded a transparent circular volume into the concave façade, turning it outward into a convex, welcoming form. The curved glazing not only draws in natural light but also reaches outward to connect with the adjacent courtyard. A second doorway was added— breaking the flatness of the façade while serving as an entry to the café wing.
Program Personalities
The interior layout was shaped by the varied tempos of the team and the specificity of each role within it. Working closely with head chef Jeremy, we mapped his movement through the kitchen to define the circulation. A large L-shaped kitchen anchors the back wall—rationally organizing workflows while becoming an open stage for the kitchen team. Its transparency invites guests to observe the choreography of kitchen life. A warm, glowing box is embedded into the stainless steel kitchen wall—a spotlight for the handmade pasta and pastry-making process. Next to it, the semi-independent café unfolds along an irregular L-shaped bar. This secondary bar connects directly to the kitchen, forming a quiet loop of flexible exchange.
Shifting Elements
From the beginning, the client envisioned a dual operating mode: sandwiches by day, pastas by night. This temporal shift gave rise to a series of movable elements that allow the space to transform. A massive oval lift table spans the main dining area, connecting two structural columns that discreetly house its lifting mechanism. When lowered, it becomes a communal dining surface—inviting shared meals and conversation. When raised, it transforms into a mirrored canopy, expanding the sense of vertical space and subtly resetting the mood. A movable curved wall adds another layer of flexibility. It swings open each morning to mark the beginning of service. Inside, it slides into the space as a soft divider—gently separating the dining area from the restroom.
Material Palette
From the first step inside, the lavender-gray terrazzo floor establishes a sense of ease. Stainless steel wraps the dining area, setting a clean and vivid tone. The soft purple terrazzo unifies the dining zone and café, while irregularly shaped, colorful tables and chairs introduce a sense of improvisation and individuality. From day to night, the lighting system is tuned to shift the atmosphere of the restaurant. Each material serves a distinct purpose. Together, they shape a space that is both composed and playful.
On the stage we’ve built for BizyBoy, a new performance unfolds every day. Visitors watch, listen, taste—encountering a space that reveals its personality through rhythm, precision, and play. This character stays agile and expressive—constantly shifting with the mood of the day.
