![Voisin Organique restaurant by Various Associates](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2020/02/voisin-organique-restaurant-interiors-china-various-associates_dezeen_hero-2-852x479.jpg)
Various Associates designs Voisin Organique restaurant to resemble a gloomy valley
Towering ceilings and shadowy dining areas within this restaurant in Shenzhen are meant to emulate the experience of traversing a mountain valley.
Located in Shenzhen's Futian district, Voisin Organique is a farm-to-table restaurant that offers a contemporary take on traditional Chinese cuisine.
![Voisin Organique restaurant by Various Associates](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2020/02/voisin-organique-restaurant-interiors-china-various-associates_dezeen_2364_col_5-852x1136.jpg)
Various Associates was tasked with developing the restaurant's interior, which needed to include a lounge area, fine-dining room and extensive kitchen that measured over 100 square metres.
Immediately struck by the venue's soaring ceilings and dark, shadowy corners, the studio was inspired to create a dining experience that was similar to "wandering in a valley".
![Voisin Organique restaurant by Various Associates](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2020/02/voisin-organique-restaurant-interiors-china-various-associates_dezeen_2364_col_6-852x1136.jpg)
Diners first walk into the lounge area, where drinks and casual meals can be enjoyed. Tables and comfy armchairs have been arranged to sit directly beneath a void in the ceiling that the studio compares to a gully – a deep channel formed in hillsides by running water.
Surfaces throughout have been covered in a matte-finish silver foil to create a hazy quality of light that "makes people feel like they're in a mist".
![Voisin Organique restaurant by Various Associates](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2020/02/voisin-organique-restaurant-interiors-china-various-associates_dezeen_2364_col_14-852x1136.jpg)
"Entering the lounge area, people may feel like they are suddenly brought into a valley, with steep hills in between," explained the studio.
"The ceilings show great height discrepancy... some are as high as precipices, attracting people to look upwards."
![Voisin Organique restaurant by Various Associates](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2020/02/voisin-organique-restaurant-interiors-china-various-associates_dezeen_2364_col_22-852x1136.jpg)
The angular ceiling recession that sits above the fine-dining area has been painted a deep shade of red to foster a "sense of occasion".
More formal furnishings like jet-black bistro chairs and dark-wood tables have additionally been used to dress the space.
![Voisin Organique restaurant by Various Associates](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2020/02/voisin-organique-restaurant-interiors-china-various-associates_dezeen_2364_col_26-852x568.jpg)
Lighting has been sparingly introduced into the restaurant.
Just a handful of spotlights pepper the ceiling and a simple LED strip has been fitted at the rear of the bar counter, illuminating the bottles on display.
![Voisin Organique restaurant by Various Associates](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2020/02/voisin-organique-restaurant-interiors-china-various-associates_dezeen_2364_col_29-852x1278.jpg)
A huge bronze screen has been incorporated into the restaurant's facade, blocking any sunlight from filtering through to the interior.
At the bottom of the screen is a row of convex peepholes, allowing passersby on the street to glimpse into the venue and diners to look out – a playful feature that the studio hopes will enliven the otherwise "sedate" exterior.
![Voisin Organique restaurant by Various Associates](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2020/02/voisin-organique-restaurant-interiors-china-various-associates_dezeen_2364_col_2-852x1136.jpg)
Various Associates was founded in 2017 and is based in Shenzhen. Last year, the studio designed the interior of a womenswear store in China's Chongqing district.
The space features mirrored partitions, fur-covered changing rooms and display areas enclosed by dramatic slanting walls.
Photography is by Shao Feng.
Project credits:
Design team: Various Associates
Project leader: Qianyi Lin
Main designer: Dongzi Yang
Designers: Suki, Jingjing Tang