HANG DONG DISTRICT, Thailand — The Bull at Zabb E Lee cooking school teaches the art of Thai cooking to visitors from around the world.

In order to complement the local charm, Chiangmai Life Architects was commissioned to design and build the actual teaching pavilions made of locally acquired bamboo for the Zabb e Lee cooking school.

The location for the third bamboo pavilion was at the small end of the property, between a big tree and a little pond. The 160 -square-meter U-shaped structure had to provide ample space for 10 food preparation stations, 10 cooking stations, and a big dining table.

The upward-pointing horns of a bull create welcoming entrances that lead to two dome-like spaces connected by a longer space, thus creating three distinct areas for the three functions: preparation, cooking, and eating. The domes are based on crossing bamboo arches made of bundled bamboo rods. This design gives the interior space a bigger feel than the outside form would suggest. The natural color and flowing lines create a warm and harmonious atmosphere, enhanced in the evening with well-positioned lighting.