Aster By Joshua Paris
ASTER BY JOSHUA PARIS
RooMoo Design Studio
ARCHITECTS
RooMoo Design Studio
LEAD ARCHITECT
Tao Zhang, Ray Zhang, Marine Bois
DESIGN TEAM MEMBERS
Gino Wang
CLIENTS
Shanghai Ruispai Catering Co., Ltd.
LIGHTING CONSULTANT
Shanghai Baizi Lighting Engineering Design Co., Ltd.
CONSTRUCTION TEAM
Shanghai Suji Decoration Engineering Co., Ltd.
FURNITURE AND CUSTOM MADE LIGHTING SUPPLIER
Shanghai Yizhu Decorating Engineering Co.,ltd
MANUFACTURERS
Hafele
PHOTOGRAPHS
Wen Studio
AREA
309 m²
YEAR
2025
LOCATION
Shanghai, China
CATEGORY
Restaurant & Bar Interiors
English description provided by the architects.
Aster, led by chef Joshua Paris, is a new dining destination inspired by its namesake flower, the aster, which also means "star."
The restaurant's design translates the flower's natural structure—a central disc surrounded by radiating petals—into a spatial experience. Guests gather at the heart of the flower, dining beneath a constellation of light.
ABOUT CHEF JOSHUA PARIS
British-born chef Joshua Paris brings 19 years of global culinary experience to Aster.
His career spans New Zealand, the UK, Australia, and China, including collaborations with Richard Ekkebus at 58° Grill in Shanghai and contributions to the opening of Park Hyatt Shenzhen.
A formative period working under Paul Pairet at the legendary UV instilled in him a philosophy of discipline, precision, and relentless refinement.
His culinary credo is simple: question everything and refine each dish until it cannot be improved further.
DISC
The experience begins at the floral heart: a circular bar and a wraparound dining counter at the open kitchen form a unified stage.
This central core allows for continuous 360-degree service. Diners at the counter are within arm's reach of the culinary action, engaging directly with the chefs.
A soft halo of light along the bar's base echoes the overhead installation, creating an immersive glow. Tactile, hand-modeled clay finishes on the bar and counters evoke stratified rock, grounding the space in craft.
RADIATION OF PETALS
Overhead, the "crown" comprises 39 modular frames arranged in a gentle spiral, each holding a translucent violet petal made from recycled xuan paper.
At night, perimeter lighting grazes the petals' edges, transforming the ceiling into a drifting nebula. The system is designed for sustainability, with petals that can be re-dyed and frames that are reusable.
DUPLICATION OF FLOWERS
Along the windows, layered pendant lights continue the floral theme.
Aligned with structural beams, they turn architecture into poetry, with subtle variations in height making each one unique. Beneath this decorative layer, precise downlights ensure optimal illumination for every table.
ROOT
The material palette of oak, stone, and concrete converges like a calyx cradling a bloom. A herringbone oak floor radiates outward from the bar, recalling roots in the soil.
Rounded timber and stone edges ensure comfort, while hand-modeled clay reliefs at touch points add a crafted, tactile quality. The space feels rooted: with roots beneath, the calyx at your side, and the flower overhead.
CONSTELLATION | VIP
A secluded mezzanine lounge, clad in walnut and velvet, offers a shifted geometry that creates intrigue.
A mirrored antique bronze canopy, etched with abstract floral motifs, expands the sense of space, forming a quiet, elevated "sky." In the private dining room, a stardust installation of smoky violet petals hangs in loose constellations above the table.
Set against a dark textile backdrop, the focus returns to food and conversation, with velvet and woven fabrics ensuring a soft, warm, and intimate atmosphere.
