Project: Wanwea · Yuan Restaurant
Architecture: Tanzo Space Design
Lead Designer: Wang Daquan
Team: Jin Ping, Ma Hongxu, Zhang Xiangrong
Landscape: Wilderness Botanic Garden
Location: Beijing, China
Area: 1000 m2
Year: 2023
Photo Credits: TOPIA Visuals
Wanwea Yuan Restaurant by TANZO Space Design transforms a riverside site into an immersive dining destination that blurs the lines between architecture, landscape, and art. Moreover, this upscale concept from Da Ya Li Restaurant Group invites guests into a sequence of spaces that feel at once ethereal and grounded. Consequently, Wanwea Yuan Restaurant offers a dining experience defined by light, texture, and a deep connection to its natural surroundings.
A Concept Rooted in Landscape and Imagination
First, the design vision took inspiration from ancient Chinese “imagined landscapes,” where mountains, rivers, and myth meet reality. Accordingly, interior and exterior courtyards weave together beneath river willows to create a fluid garden atmosphere. Furthermore, stepping paths, water features, and shifting planes of light guide visitors through a layered journey—from the moment they pass the dramatic entrance wall to the serene inner tea terrace.
Fluid Indoor‑Outdoor Courtyards
Next, Wanwea Yuan’s layout minimizes the boundary between inside and outside. Consequently, broad eaves and slender water surfaces draw sunlight and rain through subtle gaps. Meanwhile, dark stone walls rise like natural ridges, and white surfaces evoke modern poetry against a backdrop of living greenery. As a result, each courtyard feels expansive yet intimate—encouraging reflection and discovery.
Materiality and Craftsmanship
Moreover, every material choice reflects both sustainability and artistry. For instance, the handcrafted bar counter is forged from 386 kilograms of hand‑hammered annealed copper, forming a luminous focal point upon entry. Likewise, stainless steel triangular panels clad walls and ceilings in the entertainment area, capturing light like rippling water. Natural timbers, textured stone, and brass accents balance warmth with modern refinement throughout the restaurant.
A Journey of Diverse Dining Spaces
Finally, Wanwea Yuan unfolds as a series of nested rooms—each with its own character and scale. From the sunken lounge that evokes a tranquil valley to the lofty wine‑tasting chamber crowned by a glass roof, transitions feel seamless and intentional. In addition, nine private dining rooms bear auspicious names and subtle light effects, offering secluded retreats for intimate gatherings. Ultimately, the restaurant’s progression mirrors the cyclical flow of nature, culminating in a grand entertainment hall where form and function converge in elegant harmony.
By transcending fixed architectural styles, Wanwea Yuan Restaurant creates a timeless yet dynamic setting. Consequently, diners are not merely guests but participants in an unfolding spatial narrative—one that celebrates the beauty of place, the power of craft, and the poetry of design.
