Timber and Table 木與桌餐廳室內設計 by Luxi Chen is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award 鐵獎 in 款待設計 Competition Category.

鐵款待· 2025

Timber and Table 木與桌餐廳室內設計

by Luxi Chen

Client: Yan Xia San Yue

A' Design Award 鐵獎 Winner in 款待 Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #166697

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Timber and Table 木與桌餐廳室內設計

《木與桌》是一間透過活化改造中國浙江一座傳統合院民居而成的餐廳。原有的木樑、磚牆、瓦頂同埋磨損的門檻均得以保留,並以傳統工藝手法進行修復。設計團隊加入隱藏式鋼結構同現代建築系統,以滿足現時嘅安全同服務需求。一個過渡空間同一道樓梯將前後兩個空間連接起嚟。中央庭院則重新構思為一個養有錦鯉嘅倒影池,為賓客提供一個寧靜嘅休憩之處。

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award 鐵獎

Timber and Table 木與桌餐廳室內設計是 A' Design Award 鐵獎得主，這是授予滿足人們對設計精良的創作所期待的專業與工業要求的優良設計的聲望認可。鐵獎得主展現出其創作者的高超技藝、高度專業化、專家級的理解力和創造能力。預計Timber and Table 木與桌餐廳室內設計將成為一件備受推崇、令人欽佩且被珍愛的創作，既實用又創新。這件贏得 A' Design Award 鐵獎的設計整合了行業最佳實踐，並擁有與專業知識和才華相結合的稱職技術特性。Timber and Table 木與桌餐廳室內設計因其嚴謹而受到尊重，旨在提供有助於讓世界變得更美好的生活品質改善。

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

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.
Dimensions & Packaging: The restaurant connects two originally separate building volumes, front and rear, through the addition of a transitional space and staircase, improving both circulation and spatial coherence. This intervention allows guests to move fluidly across the site while maintaining the integrity of the original structures. At the center of the plan, the traditional siheyuan courtyard was preserved and reimagined as a small reflecting pool. Inspired by the concept of four water return to the hall, the courtyard now features koi fish and becomes a sensory pause point where guests are invited to linger and engage. These design elements were realized through discreet structural enhancements and the integration of modern mechanical and lighting systems, ensuring both functionality and atmosphere are carefully balanced.
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.
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 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.