Tea Time
Cultural Space for WE-Me Group of Shenzhen Water Planning & Design Institute Co., Ltd.
Tea Time is a reimagined tea house in Jianshui Ancient Town, designed to blend tradition with modern aesthetics. It enhances light, airflow, and spatial flow while preserving historical charm. Six immersive tea experiences unfold in a space shaped by copper-toned facades, transparent details, and nature-inspired elements. Water-textured acrylic, glass tiles, and preserved elmwood create a sensory journey, where architecture and nature shape each moment in time.
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Tea Time by Hang Chen
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Cultural Space by Hang Chen
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Hang Chen Tea Time
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Unique Properties
Tea Time is a tea house renovation project in Jianshui Ancient Town that seamlessly blends tradition with modern aesthetics. The design enhances natural light, ventilation, and spatial flow while preserving the historical charm of the architecture. Featuring six immersive tea experiences, the space integrates copper-toned facades, transparent glass interfaces, and natural materials. Through thoughtful spatial organization, it creates a serene and engaging environment that embodies the art of tea culture.
Tags
Interior Design, Cultural Space, Jianshui, Tea House, Flowing Time
Production Technology
The project utilizes a blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern materials: Water-textured acrylic panels and glass tiles enhance natural lighting. Fiberglass and real stone paint sculpt landscape-inspired elements. Preserved elmwood and metal accents balance warmth with structural elegance. These materials create a seamless dialogue between nature, light, and human experience.
Design Challenge
Balancing historic preservation with modern usability was a key challenge. The original building lacked sufficient natural light and spatial cohesion. The design solution introduced open interfaces, light-diffusing materials, and strategic airflow enhancements to create an inviting, energy-efficient space where tea culture thrives within a contemporary setting.
Project Duration
Location: Yinghui Road, Jianshui Ancient Town, China Completion: 2024
Operation Flow
Tea Time is designed to balance social interaction and personal retreat. The entrance seamlessly guides guests through a visually engaging display, blending the tea house with the cityscape. Inside, a deep balcony connects private and communal spaces, allowing different activities to coexist harmoniously. Optimized airflow and natural light enhance comfort, while interactive design elements encourage engagement. The layout ensures a dynamic yet tranquil experience, where visitors can enjoy tea culture in a thoughtfully curated setting.
Research
The design was informed by extensive research into tea rituals, spatial storytelling, and environmental integration. Traditional Jianshui tea houses provided historical context, while modern lighting and airflow strategies ensured functional adaptability. The result is a harmonious blend of past and present, where each cup of tea is experienced as a moment in time.
Inspiration
Inspired by the poetic rhythm of time, Tea Time captures the essence of tea drinking as a meditative journey. The space unfolds like a flowing narrative, where light shifts, air circulates, and materials evoke a connection to nature. By merging tradition with modern simplicity, the project transforms tea drinking into a ritual that celebrates slowness, serenity, and the timeless charm of Jianshui’s historic landscape.
Image Credits
Hang Chen
Project Overview
Tea Time Cultural Space has been a Bronze winner in the Interior Space and Exhibition Design award category in the year 2024 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Bronze A' Design Award is given to outstanding designs that showcase a high degree of creativity and practicality. It recognizes the dedication and skill of designers who produce work that stands out for its thoughtful development and innovative use of materials and technology. These designs are acknowledged for their professional execution and potential to influence industry standards positively. Winning this award highlights the designer's ability to blend form and function effectively, offering solutions that enhance people's lives and wellbeing.
Bronze Recognition
Hang Chen was recognized with the coveted Bronze A' Design Award in 2025, a testament to excellence of their work Tea Time Cultural Space.
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