Aster by Joshua Paris

Aster：Dining at the Heart of a Flower

Aster, the new restaurant led by chef Joshua Paris, draws inspiration from the aster; a flower whose name also means “star.” Its design mirrors the flower’s natural composition: a central disc, radiating petals, and layered bouquets, creating a space where geometry becomes atmosphere. Guests gather at the heart of the flower, dining beneath a constellation of light.

The dining room revolves around an open kitchen, a chef’s counter, and a central cocktail bar, where front and back-of-house operate as one stage. Diners are invited into the culinary process, witnessing preparation, plating, and service unfold with Michelin-style precision.

Above, the ceiling echoes the flower’s radiating form. Thirty-nine modular frames spiral gently, each holding a single translucent violet petal made from recycled xuan paper. By night, light grazes their edges, revealing delicate fibers and transforming the ceiling into a drifting violet nebula. The system is sustainable: petals can be re-dyed, and frames reused, extending the flower-inspired rhythm from bar to sky.

Natural materials such as oak, stone, clay, root the space, with warm textures and rounded edges inviting touch and comfort.

For a more intimate experience, a mezzanine and private dining room elevate the flower motif. Velvet, walnut, and soft fabrics soften the edges, while mirrored ceilings and suspended petals create a starlit canopy. At Aster, every detail—from material to light—guides guests through a journey of craft, comfort, and culinary artistry.

Project: Aster by Joshua Paris
Type: Hospitality, bar & restaurant
Location: Shanghai, China
Floor area: 308.9 m²
Design / completion: June 2025
Primary materials: Jinhua Stone; Black-and-White Root marble; Yashi White; Panda White marble; limestone; oak; antique bronze/brass; recycled dyed xuan paper; malleable clay; grey granite.

Design: RooMoo Design Studio
Lighting design: Shanghai Baizi Lighting Engineering Design Co., Ltd.
MEP: Chengdu Zhongtong Architectural Decoration Design Co., Ltd.
Construction: Shanghai Suji Decoration Engineering Co., Ltd.
Photography: Wen Studio