Xiao Shannan Restaurant

Xiao Shannan Restaurant
Desk. Image © EMMA studio
Xiao Shannan Restaurant
Plant. Image © EMMA studio

XIAO SHANNAN RESTAURANT

Yue-Design Space Design Studio

ARCHITECTS
Yue-Design Space Design Studio

DESIGNERS IN CHARGE
Chen Chang, Yuanyuan Wu

PHOTOGRAPHS
EMMA studio

AREA
180 m²

YEAR
2020

LOCATION
Nanjing, China

CATEGORY
Restaurant

This project is located in the south of the Old City of Nanjing, Xi Nanli historical and cultural block, It next to the former residence of Gan Xi, commonly known as "ninety-nine and a half rooms", which is regarded as the largest and best-preserved dwelling in China.

Xiao Shannan Restaurant
Lounge. Image © EMMA studio
Xiao Shannan Restaurant
Lounge. Image © EMMA studio

The entrance is facing to the famous Zhongshan South Road. The combination of modern and classical forms the interest of this project "half the world, half the soul".

LADDER CLOUD ROOM

The first floor entrance is only for stairway, it used to be a narrow and close space.

Xiao Shannan Restaurant
Dining room. Image © EMMA studio
Xiao Shannan Restaurant
Small teahouse. Image © EMMA studio

We replace the wall with glass to make an open view between inside and outside, and exhibit the essence of the stairs for walking and guidance.

With the metal curtain as a barrier to filter out the noise of the street, and its light posture can achieve the minimum intervention of the antique-style architecture.

Xiao Shannan Restaurant
Dining room. Image © EMMA studio
Xiao Shannan Restaurant
Window panels. Image © EMMA studio

MID-SPRING ROOM

The restaurant is on the second floor, the windows are inspired by the traditional residence's window panels, which blocks off the opposite building, leaving only the crown of a Chinese parasol tree.

Now, the peak green outside reminds the springtime we are in. The window panels are tilted to open flexibly for ventilation.

Xiao Shannan Restaurant
Private room. Image © EMMA studio
Xiao Shannan Restaurant
Dining room. Image © EMMA studio

We extend the use of metal curtain here to surround a small teahouse, which is eclectic and cozy.

The private room shaped like the house within a house, with decorative glass to present the outside wall clear, with wooden walls to build inside space warm.

CLOUDS ROOM

The third floor is for relax, it’s on the highest point of the building and you can glimpse the garden of Gan xi's former residence from the window.

Xiao Shannan Restaurant
Private room. Image © EMMA studio
Xiao Shannan Restaurant
Window panels. Image © EMMA studio
Xiao Shannan Restaurant
Metal curtain. Image © EMMA studio

If the first two floors are the half of the world, the third floor is the other half —— the space for the owner to be alone and to receive visitors.

We create contemporary scholar space situation on the ancient scholar remains. Bookshelves, desk, plants, mind objects, full of wit.

No matter the space span of one to three floors, or a different design styles, this project presents a kind of inclusiveness, modern and classic, urban and nature, east and west, integrated here.

Xiao Shannan Restaurant
Main entrance view. Image © EMMA studio


Xiao Shannan Restaurant
Private room. Image © EMMA studio
Xiao Shannan Restaurant
Small teahouse. Image © EMMA studio
Xiao Shannan Restaurant
Bookshelves. Image © EMMA studio
Xiao Shannan Restaurant
Windowsill. Image © EMMA studio
Xiao Shannan Restaurant
Window panels. Image © EMMA studio
Xiao Shannan Restaurant
Micro landscape. Image © EMMA studio


Xiao Shannan Restaurant
Plan