Tens Atelier converts 1970s auditorium into stone-oven bakery in rural China

Tens Atelier has completed the interior design of the Cycle&Cycle Stone-oven Bakery Restaurant in Shangwang Village, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China. Originally built in the 1970s as a rural auditorium associated with Nixon's visit to China, the building was acquired by Cycle&Cycle in 2022. Renovation and structural reconstruction finished by end of 2023, and in early 2025 the program was redefined as a bakery. The design, led by Tan Chen and YUI, employs an 'inner architecture' approach responding to the site's topography—rising west, descending east. The eastern dining area features full-height glass curtain walls opening to village and mountain views, while the west and north edges are enclosed by bamboo groves housing back kitchen and restrooms. A central stone oven, originally specified at 2.7m diameter and 2.2m height, was extended vertically to 6m to become a dominant internal structure. Material choices reflect restraint: existing white paint was retained instead of exposing red brick due to labor costs; roof modifications were reduced. Furniture uses marine plywood and cork modules designed for reusability. The 420 sqm space maintains a single open volume without partitions. Architectural design was by Fan Architectural Firm (FANAF), graphic design by MORE Studio, and photography by half. half.