xian architects lets nature do the work in dali's field kitchen eatery

xian architects lets nature do the work in dali’s field kitchen eatery
all images courtesy of xian architects

dali is a mid-sized city with roughly half a million residents in southwestern china’s yunnan province. the area has long been a popular tourist destination, no doubt due to its proximity to the erhai lake — the second largest highland lake in the country — and the cangshan mountain range.

open doorway to small patio 

a modern city with a rich history dating back to the 8th century, not to mention plentiful sunlight and crisp mountain air; dali is the perfect combination of old and new, fun and reservation. fortunately, the residents realize their good fortune. the ‘field kitchen’, is one such fruition of that knowledge. designed by xian architects, the small restaurant is placed at one of the village’s outermost corners, providing vast views of the surrounding farm grounds, distant cityscape, and canghsan mountains.

xian architects’ work can be best described as secondary to dali’s landscape. meaning, the interior is minimal and devoid of excess embellishment. carefully placed windows and a small walkout patio allow selected views from inside. working in tandem, the ‘field kitchen’ as a structure disappears, and guests are able to see the true nature of the eatery’s name. 

looking over fields 

interior view to pond 

adjacent pond with snow-capped mountains in the distance 

original structure 

before intervention  

transforming from old to new 

work in progress 

interior: during construction 

landscape

the field

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edited by: nick brink | designboom