Chinese Box Club in Weert by Zware Jongens

Multidisciplinary creative studio Zware Jongens made a dusty Chinese takeaway shop in the Dutch town of Weert cool again. Restaurant owners Lide and Aihua Chung were looking to shake up their Chinese Box Club eatery, seeking a ‘future-proof’ concept that would aid in ensuring longevity for their business. Zware Jongens injected both fun and function into the customer experience, working on the project holistically from interior design to graphics to branding.

The compact site measures less than 30sqm, a deliberate decision aiming to create a distinct atmosphere within limited space. Zware Jongens says the design “is clearly inspired by traditional Chinese restaurants, as we all know them, where authentic elements were interpreted and implemented in a new way.”

Vintage spherical wall lights punctuate stained birchwood panelling. Mirrored skirting boards extend the impact of a bold custom carpet of dark blue, with a bright orange angular pattern. On the front street-facing window, a printed graphic motif resembles a scattering of white rice.

“The logo is a blend of authentic Chinese lettering and modern typography. In terms of the further visual language, the rice pattern in motion refers to explosive elements from boxing culture and it aligns to the core brand idea of ‘food with a punch,'” explains Jisook Park of Zware Jongens.

Guests can either order in-person from the host or order digitally at home. The designers paid specific attention to the moments spent waiting for food, creating a corner with sufficient seating space and free tea for customers who are waiting to collect their box.

The designers also revived the concept of a retro kitchen hatch, with spotlit in-built nooks with sliding panels lined up side by side, for customers to receive orders directly from the kitchen. Though practical, the hatch system has an undeniably kitsch air that adds to the overall experience.

With the owners having ideas to scale Chinese Box Club in future, Zware Jongens implemented a replicable template including all associated branding such as naming conventions, menu composition, and packaging. Even the hatch concept can be brought to the fore in future, allowing the restaurant to serve food street-side.