Timber and Table

Restaurant for Yan Xia San Yue

Timber and Table is a restaurant design that draws from vernacular rural architecture to create a warm and grounded dining environment. Natural materials, such as wood and stone, are used throughout to evoke a sense of place and permanence. The design balances rustic textures with contemporary lines, offering a refined yet approachable atmosphere. Strategic lighting and spatial layering enhance intimacy while preserving openness, supporting both community gathering and private dining experiences.

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Download Press Kit № 166697 Restaurant for Yan Xia San Yue by Luxi Chen to access high-res images, essential texts, translations, and exclusive interviews—all in one.

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Timber and Table by Luxi Chen

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Restaurant by Luxi Chen

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Luxi Chen Timber and Table

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Luxi Chen Restaurant

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Timber and Table Restaurant Press Releases

Press resources for Timber and Table are offered in several languages: English.

Unique Properties

This project transforms a vernacular house into a vibrant restaurant, preserving its original architecture, including exposed beams, tiled roofs, and courtyards. The design blends heritage with modern comfort, incorporating handcrafted decor and local materials. Cozy indoor seating and landscaped outdoor spaces create a warm, inviting atmosphere. The result is a unique dining destination that celebrates cultural preservation and innovative reuse.

Tags

restaurant, interior design, timber architecture, vernacular design, natural materials, hospitality design, rural modern, dining space, spatial design, contemporary rustic, sustainable design, architectural interiors, community dining, handcrafted finishes

Production Technology

The restaurant was realized through a careful process of adaptive reuse, emphasizing the preservation of original materials and architectural character. Existing timber structures and brick walls were retained and restored using a repair as found approach, where imperfections were respected as part of the building’s story. Traditional craftsmanship techniques were employed to maintain the material authenticity, while discreet structural reinforcements and modern building systems were integrated to meet current functional and safety standards. This balance between heritage and contemporary utility allows the space to serve modern needs without losing its historic soul.

Design Challenge

The most significant challenge in designing the restaurant was balancing the preservation of original materials with the need to meet current structural safety standards. Many of the existing timber beams and brick walls showed signs of aging and wear, yet were essential to maintaining the building’s historical character and emotional resonance. Rather than replacing them, we adopted a strategy of selective reinforcement, strengthening the internal structural system with concealed steel supports and anchoring techniques that respected the original construction. Advanced assessments were conducted to evaluate load-bearing capacity, and materials were treated to improve fire resistance and durability. This approach allowed us to preserve the authentic textures and atmosphere of the space while ensuring long-term safety and performance.

Project Duration

The design of the restaurant was conducted in Zhejiang, China. The project spanned approximately nine months from concept development to construction documentation. Throughout this period, close collaboration with local craftsmen, structural consultants, and preservation specialists ensured that the design remained rooted in its cultural and architectural context while meeting contemporary standards.

Operation Flow

The restaurant offers more than a meal, it provides a sense of stability, comfort, and connection by grounding the dining experience in memory. The design embraces the original building’s layout and materials, allowing the familiar structure to remain a quiet anchor for the new. Exposed wood beams, weathered brick, and worn thresholds are preserved and celebrated, inviting guests to feel at ease in a space that remembers its past. Circulation flows gently through well worn paths, guiding diners through intimate zones that evoke both nostalgia and warmth. This respectful integration of the old with the new creates a tranquil atmosphere where guests can slow down, feel at home, and form new memories rooted in continuity and care.

Research

The design was grounded in research on vernacular courtyard architecture, particularly the spatial logic and symbolic meaning of the four water return to the hall layout. Historical studies of timber framed structures and traditional construction techniques informed the preservation strategy, guiding decisions on which elements to retain, restore, or reinterpret. Field investigations of the existing building revealed traces of previous residential life, circulation paths, window placements, and layering of materials, which were carefully studied to shape a design that resonates with memory. Contemporary hospitality needs were also analyzed to ensure seamless integration of modern functions such as circulation flow, service zones, and kitchen operations. The result is a space where traditional spatial values and modern user expectations are harmonized through informed, site-specific design.

Inspiration

Inspired by the rich cultural heritage of vernacular architecture, this project aims to honor tradition while adapting to contemporary needs. The design seeks to preserve the house’s original features, such as exposed beams and courtyards, while enhancing functionality for modern dining. Drawing on local craftsmanship and materials, the project combines technical research on sustainable reuse with a vision to create an immersive cultural and culinary experience.

Project Overview

Timber and Table Restaurant has been a Iron winner in the Hospitality, Recreation, Travel and Tourism Design award category in the year 2024 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Iron A' Design Award is awarded to good designs that meet the rigorous professional and industrial standards set by the A' Design Awards. This recognition is reserved for works that demonstrate a solid understanding of design principles and show creativity within their execution. Recipients of the Iron A' Design Award are acknowledged for their practical innovations and contributions to their respective fields, providing solutions that improve quality of life and foster positive change. These designs are a testament to the skill and dedication of their creators, showcasing their ability to address real-world challenges through thoughtful design.

Image Credits

For design images and photos please credit Luxi Chen.

Iron Recognition

Luxi Chen was recognized with the coveted Iron A' Design Award in 2025, a testament to excellence of their work Timber and Table Restaurant.

Luxi Chen Press Releases

Numerous press releases on Luxi Chen and their achievements are at your disposal, inviting press members to use them freely in their coverage. Available now: 1 press releases ready for immediate access by journalists.

Luxi Chen's Timber and Table Restaurant Revives Vernacular Architecture with Contemporary Flair

Timber and Table, designed by Luxi Chen in Zhejiang, China, transforms a traditional rural house into a vibrant restaurant by preserving original architectural features and integrating modern comforts, creating a unique dining experience that honors local heritage and craftsmanship. The project, completed over nine months, recently received the Iron A' Design Award for its innovative approach to adaptive reuse and cultural preservation.

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