Tea Time Espace Culturel by Hang Chen is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award de Bronze in Design d'Intérieur Competition Category.

BronzeIntérieur· 2025

Tea Time Espace Culturel

by Hang Chen

Client: WE-Me Group of Shenzhen Water Planning & Design Institute Co., Ltd.

A' Design Award de Bronze Winner in Intérieur Category

12,560

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #172168

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Tea Time Espace Culturel

Tea Time est un salon de thé réinventé dans la vieille ville de Jianshui, conçu pour fusionner tradition et esthétique moderne. Il valorise la lumière, la circulation de l'air et la fluidité spatiale tout en préservant le charme historique. Six expériences de thé immersives se déploient dans un espace façonné par des façades aux tons cuivrés, des détails transparents et des éléments inspirés de la nature. L'acrylique à texture d'eau, les carreaux de verre et l'orme préservé créent un parcours sensoriel, où l'architecture et la nature façonnent chaque instant.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award de Bronze

Tea Time Espace Culturel est lauréat de l'A' Design Award de Bronze, une reconnaissance hautement prestigieuse décernée à des designs remarquables qui se distinguent par leur créativité, leur ingéniosité et leur sagacité. Les lauréats Bronze sont des artefacts amplement habiles et d'une créativité frappante, qui authentifient la vaste expérience, l'imagination et l'ingéniosité de leurs concepteurs. Tea Time Espace Culturel est censé être un objet très estimé, admiré et chéri, remarquablement professionnel et innovant. Ce design lauréat de l'A' Design Award de Bronze intègre les meilleures pratiques de l'art, de la science, du design et de la technologie, et est excellent par son souci du détail. Tea Time Espace Culturel satisfait admirablement les besoins, touche les désirs, charme les sentiments et attire la curiosité.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

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.
Dimensions & Packaging: The design emphasizes spatial fluidity, allowing tea appreciation to unfold organically. Open interfaces enhance airflow, reducing reliance on mechanical ventilation. Carefully placed materials and lighting create a soft, immersive environment that adapts to different times of the day, reinforcing the concept of tea as an experience that evolves with time.
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.
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.
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.
Team Members: Hang Chen
Image Credits: Hang Chen