The 2025 HD Awards Project Winners

UPSCALE RESTAURANT
Ortensia, Shanghai

Ortensia’s flair for fusing heritage elements with modern ones is found throughout the well-preserved Shikumen structure in Shanghai’s Zhangyuan community. Consider the Chinese lacquer and hand-chiseled wood millwork converging with the ombré velvet wall panels and custom light fixtures warmed with gradient-dyed textiles. Rustic floor tiles laid out in a checkerboard pattern juxtapose French panels reimagined through floral metalwork, while pitched ceilings in the private dining room balance a contemporary finish with original beams. The restaurant’s namesake flower is also a recurring motif, framing the courtyard entry and inspiring a bronze-etched mirror. “Every space is a story, and a good narrative needs strong foundations,” says Chris Shao, founder of his eponymous studio. “The chance to dig deeper into the history, customs, and design traditions of China, Japan, and France was a highlight for me. This melting pot of cuisines and cultures is what makes Ortensia’s design impactful.”

Interior Design and Purchasing Firm: Chris Shao Studio, New York | Owner: Terumitsu Saito