Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro located in Orchard, Singapore marks the international debut of Japan’s beloved Szechwan restaurant. This michelin restaurant traces its roots to 1958, when Chen Kenmin, known as the “Father of Szechwan cuisine” in Japan, founded the first Szechwan restaurant in the country. An establishment with a rich legacy steeped in history.

The interior design concept seamlessly blends Chinese and Japanese styles, incorporating materials that minimize reflections, such as matte silver leaf and delicate, translucent textures. Meanwhile, the lighting design by ambiguous is dynamic and experiential, shaping the mood and atmosphere throughout the day and night. This approach creates a sense of elegance, setting it apart from traditional Chinese restaurant lighting.

At the peak of the Hilton hotel, the restaurant’s entrance envelops guests in a warm, intimate glow. Guests are first welcomed at the reception area, where the thoughtfully designed space already evokes the ambiance of a high-end, traditional asian fine dining. The indirect lighting behind the counter was achieved using our CONT H Auras, elegantly highlighting the textured backdrop. The 12W output is ideal in this small space providing a soft glow, that complements the other surrounding lighting without creating harsh contrasts. The corridor leading to the main dining area is softly illuminated, with each step drawing guests closer to a grand space where the lighting and interior is both vibrant and captivating.

The main dining room boasts soaring ceilings and expansive windows that flood the space with natural light by day, while at night, the ambiance transforms. Our CONT H Auras is truly the hero luminaire for this project, once again used for cove lighting above most of the main dining areas – the effect truly creates an inviting atmosphere for guests to have an intimate fine dining experience. This product features one of the smallest bend radius on the market at just 10 cm, it ensures seamless integration, uniform width across the contour body and profile for easy mounting and installation. It is also installed at the bathroom vanity, providing wall-grazing illumination that enhances the natural stone design while effectively lighting the basin and tissue dispenser.

Shisen Hanten is a restaurant that not only embraces modernity but also preserves tradition, as seen in its décor, which includes elegant porcelain vases. These colorful vases are displayed on shelves with an illuminated base using our SRGLAS – this product is ideal for illuminating individual items, creating an eye-catching focal point. It also offers a smart solution for spaces like Shisen Hanten, where open-concept shelving eliminates the need for spotlights or wall lights above. As the light shines up onto the porcelain this light play creates a unique tactile appearance depending on the texture of the vase. This display gives the restaurant a harmonious blend of modern and classic elements.

Client: Hilton Singapore Orchard