Located in Dafangjia Hutong, Beijing, “Ya” is a Yunnan cuisine restaurant designed by C+Architects for the Under Clouds catering brand. Nestled amidst residential buildings, temples, and commercial offices, it embodies a harmonious blend of old and new, traditional and modern atmospheres.
△ Project location map © C+ Architects
© Xu Xiaodong
© Xu Xiaodong
© Xu Xiaodong
Throughout the design and construction process, discussions between the architects and owners focused on the theme “Modern Expression of Yunnan Culture.” This ranged from interpreting the site and redefining the dining environment to reinforcing the building structure, redesigning interior spaces, selecting materials, and presenting food. After over a year of refinement, the “Cliff,” a space filled with deep emotions from all involved, was completed on New Year’s Day in 2020.
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A century-old jujube tree stands in the restaurant’s courtyard, previously enclosed indoors during renovations. Recognizing the importance of trees in traditional Beijing residences—as both a connection between people and place and a symbol of life’s continuity—the architects opened up the courtyard and restructured the spatial sequence centered around this tree, restoring it to its natural growth and allowing the house to breathe freely.
© Xu Xiaodong
© Xu Xiaodong
© Xu Xiaodong
© Xu Xiaodong
© C+ Architects
Inspired by the concept of a “high edge” or “cliff,” the design highlights spatial visual interest. The dining area on the east side is sunken by 70 centimeters, creating a vertical dialogue with the dining and courtyard areas on the west side. The outdoor staircase leading to the terrace is split into two parts: the lower section features a light-colored cast-in-place concrete base, maintaining consistency with the interior elevation difference; above it sits a steel staircase. The “broken bridge” extending from the roof is both tangible and intangible, offering an unexpected vantage point to admire the “cliff.”
© Xu Xiaodong
© Xu Xiaodong
© Xu Xiaodong
© Xu Xiaodong
© C+ Architects
© C+ Architects
Above the sunken dining area sits a “V”-shaped skylight framed by T-shaped steel. It carefully avoids the main growth direction of the tree trunk and brings the vivid, powerful “original scenery” of Yunnan into the restaurant. Diners can look up to see the blue sky and white clouds within reach. Viewed from the roof, the skylight reflects the sky and tree shadows, resembling a floating pool. At night, the skylight glows warmly, casting soft light over the city.
© Xu Xiaodong
© Xu Xiaodong
© Xu Xiaodong
© C+ Architects
© C+ Architects
© Xu Xiaodong
© Xu Xiaodong
© Xu Xiaodong
As a social space, “Cliff” uses architectural language to express the intimate relationship between people, time, and the environment. The modern rammed earth wall on the east side symbolizes the regeneration of Yunnan’s land. Daily shifting light and shadow dance across its surface, slowly settling over time. This wall extends outdoors and, together with the skylight, naturally brings the surrounding scenery into the interior. The entrance at the indoor elevation boundary acts as a viewfinder, framing the courtyard and rammed earth wall and directing guests’ views from the western dining area.
© C+ Architects
© C+ Architects
© C+ Architects
© C+ Architects
© Xu Xiaodong
© Xu Xiaodong
© Xu Xiaodong
© Xu Xiaodong
Moreover, the treatment of building materials and the chefs’ cooking techniques differ but share a common philosophy. Preserving original textures, details are subtly enhanced through restrained processing and presented with a modern aesthetic. The warm-colored orange rammed earth wall on the east and the deep red cave stone wall on the west wrap the restaurant, complemented by dark materials such as burnt fir boards, hot-rolled steel plates, and black-washed stones. This interplay of vibrant and subdued tones creates a delicate layering, giving the space a quiet, profound atmosphere.
© C+ Architects
© C+ Architects
© C+ Architects
© C+ Architects
© C+ Architects
Design Drawings
△ First floor plan © C+ Architects
△ Roof plan © C+ Architects
△ Sectional perspective view © C+ Architects
△ Model 1 © C+ Architects
△ Model 2 © C+ Architects
Project Information
Designer: C+Architects
Lead Architect: Cheng Yanchun
Design Team: Xu Liyuan, Tian Yuting, Zhou Qirui, Chen Likang
Consultant for Rammed Earth Walls Secondary Design and Construction: Buildings on Earth
Structural Consultant: Zhang Jinbin
Project Type: Leisure Architecture, Hutong Renovation
Duration: November 2018 – December 2019
Location: Beijing, China
Building Area: 250 square meters
Photography: Xu Xiaodong, C+ Architects
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