A Historic Structure Hidden Among Bamboo

Nestled between bamboo groves and farmlands in the western mountains of Shangwang Village, Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, a long-forgotten building has found new purpose as a stone-oven bakery restaurant. Designed jointly by Tens Atelier and FANAF, Cycle&Cycle Stone-oven Bakery Restaurant is the result of a sensitive and imaginative renovation.

The building's history is anything but ordinary. Constructed in the 1970s to support Nixon's historic visit to China, it served as a rural community auditorium — a physical artifact of one of the most pivotal diplomatic moments of the 20th century.

Why This Project Matters

This is not a simple renovation. The designers faced the challenge of honoring historical significance while introducing contemporary commercial functions. In 2022, Cycle&Cycle acquired the building's usage rights and commissioned FANAF to lead the transformation.

The project reflects a growing trend in Chinese architecture: repurposing rural and industrial heritage into destination spaces, particularly for the food and beverage sector. By embedding a modern bakery within a shell of Cold War-era history, the project creates a layered spatial narrative that resonates with urban visitors seeking authentic experiences.

From Nixon's Visit to Sourdough

Nixon's 1972 visit to China marked the thaw of over two decades of Sino-American estrangement. Infrastructure across China was mobilized for the occasion — including this modest auditorium in Shangwang Village. For decades it served the local community before gradually falling into disuse as rural-to-urban migration hollowed out villages like this one across China.

Tens Atelier and FANAF's intervention reconnects that severed timeline. After completing initial structural updates and landscaping, the design team reconfigured the interior to accommodate stone-oven baking while preserving the building's historic envelope.

The Rise of Place-Based Dining

The project aligns with a broader movement toward 'ritual dining' — destinations where the journey and the setting are as important as the food itself. Walking through bamboo groves to arrive at a wood-fired bakery offers a spatial narrative that urban consumers increasingly seek. Architecture critics have noted Cycle&Cycle as a compelling example of converting historical locality into commercial value.