Light Gathering in the Yuàn 光聚院心

Light Gathering in the Yuàn marks the inaugural event in The Light Room, an ongoing experimental design space created by and within the to explore how illumination shapes human emotion and cultural experience.

The evening brings together Mason Studio, VYVYD Lighting, and of for a sensory event shaped by light, space, and contemporary Chinese hospitality. Inspired by the traditional yuàn—a courtyard at the heart of a home—the experience welcomes guests into a world where gathering feels both familiar and new, offered over two intimate, ticketed evenings.

In Chinese tradition, the Yuàn is more than an architectural form; it is the emotional center of domestic life, a place where families meet, celebrate, honour ancestors, and move through seasonal rituals. It is a space shaped by light, open sky, and human connection, making it a natural foundation for an event devoted to illumination, hospitality, and shared experience.

The night opens with a gesture of hospitality that shifts guests into a different state of mind. The event unfolds like a living courtyard: Chef Eva Chin shaping a modern raw seafood bar inspired by Chinese flavours through memory and craft; Mason Studio creating the spatial rhythm and environmental experience; VYVYD Lighting scripting illumination that moves and drifts with the senses. These elements converge inside The Light Room, where light becomes both atmosphere and storyteller. With each course, the space subtly transforms, deepening the connection between flavour, memory, and place.

When dinner is not in session, The Light Room remains open as an installation, its lantern-like glow lingering, traces of celebration still present, the room warm with the nearness of those who’ve just gathered. Visitors are invited into this afterglow, where light and space continue their quiet conversation.

Presented as part of DesignTO, with DBD CoLab supporting the creative connection between collaborators.

Menu

Dietary Notes

• Fixed cold seafood tasting menu
• Communal dining format with assigned seating — different parties will not have individual tables
• Can accommodate: gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, pescatarian
• Cannot accommodate: vegetarian, vegan, seafood-free, pork-free, shellfish-free
• Dinner event is 19+

Photography: Photos welcome. No flash in the Light Room

Open House Hours (Free Admission)
January 29–31
Open 12–5 PM

Please note: the immersive dining experience is ticketed. The installation is open to the public during these hours. Installation open to all ages.

Accessibility
Ground-floor event with slight floor transitions
Ground-floor washroom is not barrier-free
Washroom door not wide enough for mobility devices
Fragrances may be present

About

Mason Studio is a design firm and cultural engine where interiors are shaped by global thinking, cultural curiosity, and human impact. They partner with leaders in hospitality, wellness, and forward-thinking development who see design as a strategic tool—one that builds trust, drives performance, and leaves a meaningful cultural mark. Whether they are creating a hospitality concept, a longevity intervention, or a multi-unit habitat, they translate complexity into clarity and vision into place. Follow @mason_studio to learn more.

About

VYVYD Lighting is a Toronto-based architectural lighting studio creating immersive, emotion-driven lighting experiences. We collaborate closely with interior designers to shape mood, narrative, and atmosphere through precision accent lighting and thoughtful illumination strategies. Our work explores how light transforms space and deepens human experience. Follow @vyvydlighting to learn more.

About

Chef Eva Chin is a culinary leader, internationally trained at Michelin-starred restaurants and known for her bold, culturally driven cuisine. As culinary director of the Hong Shing Restaurant Group and co-founder of Yan Dining Room, she brings a refined, narrative-driven approach to modern Asian dining in Canada.

Born in Hawai‘i and grounded in her heritage, Chin blends sustainability with contemporary technique. She has led acclaimed kitchens across North America, including Kōjin by Momofuku in Toronto and Royal Dinette in Vancouver. Her pop-up concept, The Soy Luck Club, was named one of enRoute’s Top 10 Pop-Ups in Canada. A Toronto Life Most Influential in 2025, Chin is recognized for her seasonal, expressive cooking and her advocacy for equity, representation and innovation in Canada’s culinary landscape. Follow @ridetowander.

About

Opened in 2024, Yan Dining Room is an intimate fine dining neo-Chinese restaurant founded by restaurateur Colin Li and chef Eva Chin. Located within the private dining room of Hong Shing, Yan redefines Chinese cuisine through multi-course tasting menus that blend heritage and contemporary innovation. Each seasonal menu reflects identity, memory and modern storytelling, using Chinese flavours and techniques to create thoughtful, forward-looking dishes. Follow @yandiningroom for upcoming experiences.

About :

DBD CoLab is the creative's business growth and product development strategy group that partners up with creative firms to turn passions into sound business decisions. Our role is to be your creative partner in making growth possible - business, marketing, and sales consultation, specialty procurement and project management, and strategic partnerships/collaborations broker. As creatives, we think differently, and we know that you do too! Work with like-minded business strategists that understand your goals, vision, ambitions, and need for creative solutions to creative businesses.

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