The Daci Monestary Teahouse Ornatus Interior Tabernae Theanae by Hongbin Shen and Lu Xia

The Daci Monestary Teahouse Ornatus Interior Tabernae Theanae by Hongbin Shen and Lu Xia is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Praemium A' Design Award Aeneum in Patrimonium Culturale Competition Category.

AesPatrimonium Culturale· 2026

The Daci Monestary Teahouse Ornatus Interior Tabernae Theanae

by Hongbin Shen and Lu Xia

Client: Luren Design

Praemium A' Design Award Aeneum Winner in Patrimonium Culturale Category

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Verified Award Winner

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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

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The Design

About The Daci Monestary Teahouse Ornatus Interior Tabernae Theanae

Taberna Theana Monasterii Daci est ornatus interior aedificii historici in urbe Chengdu. Taberna theana circiter quingentos metros quadratos in duobus tabulatis complectitur. Structura lignea originalis firmata et refecta est, servatis trabibus, columnis et caelaturis vetustis. Ianuae traditae, fenestrae clathratae caelatae et saepta modularia spatium in cubicula privata et exedram publicam dividunt. Fenestrae plicatiles labentes multiplici nexu in unum latus complicantur, ita ut cubicula clausa in loca theae semiaperta sub divo patefieri possint. Santalum aureum et compages cardinum et foraminum sine clavis aut glutine adhibentur.

The Recognition

About the Praemium A' Design Award Aeneum

The Daci Monestary Teahouse Ornatus Interior Tabernae Theanae victor est Praemii A' Design Award Aeneum, honoris multum aestimati formis egregiis, creandi ingenio, sollertia et acumine insignibus dati. Victores Aenei opera perita et mire creandi sunt, quae experientiam, imaginationem et solertiam auctorum suorum confirmant. Exspectatur The Daci Monestary Teahouse Ornatus Interior Tabernae Theanae rem multum aestimatam, admiratam et carissimam, notabiliter professionalem et novam fore. Haec forma Aeneo victa optimas consuetudines artis, scientiae, formandi rationis et technologiae amplectitur et in cura minutiarum excellit. The Daci Monestary Teahouse Ornatus Interior Tabernae Theanae necessitates egregie explet, cupiditates tangit, sensus capit et curiositatem allicit.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: This teahouse incorporates the wisdom of Rules of Architecture Noted and innovatively adopts multi-link sliding track folding windows. This allows window panels to fold to one side, instantly turning the enclosed teahouse into a semi-open space. The teahouse retains traditional carved lattice windows, blending them with ancient architectural styles. It preserves the historic structure while introducing natural light, shadow and views.
Dimensions & Packaging: The teahouse is located in Daci Monastery within Chengdu Taikoo Li, covering approximately 500 square meters and divided into two floors. The renovation of the teahouse relies on modern mortise and tenon craftsmanship without glue or nails.
Tags: Respect for tradition; Commercial value conversion; Heritage of ancient architecture; Sliding track folding windows; Semi-outdoor tea table setting; Golden sandalwood; Flowing zen vibe; Zen tea culture; Teahouse private rooms; Sustainability
Production Technology: The teahouse carries on the essence of ancient architecture, using golden sandalwood for its texture and rot resistance. The sandalwood develops a unique beauty over time, reducing resource consumption from frequent material replacement. The wood incorporates anti-corrosion and anti-insect techniques, effectively lowering maintenance needs. It also uses modern mortise and tenon craftsmanship without nails or glue, fitting eco-concepts and fusing modern techniques with traditional aesthetics.
Design Challenge: Designers drew on the spatial wisdom of Rules of Architecture Noted to innovate independent multi-link sliding folding windows. This allows the window sashes to fold to one side, enabling seamless interaction between indoor spaces and outdoor scenery while imparting strong appeal and expansibility. Using traditional carved window lattices, door panels and partitions, designers avoided damaging the ancient structure while letting tea drinkers enjoy both tea tasting and cultural immersion.
Research: This teahouse stands as a practice and inspiration for the revitalization and utilization of historic buildings. Respecting the original architecture, it draws on ancient building essentials to repurpose spatial layouts for commercial use and revamp private rooms. It also pioneered multi-link sliding folding windows without harming the ancient structure, boosting interaction between people, environment and culture to immerse them in the merged beauty of the heritage and age-old zen tea culture.
Inspiration: Designers balanced the overall design between ancient architecture preservation and commercial value. They chose to reinforce and repair the original wooden structure, preserving the time-worn mottled beams, pillars and carvings, while adding traditional doors, lattice windows and partitions. This design creatively divides the teahouse into elegant private rooms facing Taikoo Li views and a public lounge area, adding multi-scene functionality to create a tranquil teahouse amid bustle.
Project Duration: The project finished in May 2024 in Chengdu.
Operation Flow: The teahouse integrates traditional wisdom with modern tech, enabling seamless switching between enclosed spaces and semi-outdoor tea settings to form a breathable space. The teahouse retains the ancient architectural style in both layout and space. Through modular partitions, it enables free transformation of spatial forms—where areas are separated yet interconnected, and views shift with each step. Different private rooms are designed to suit the needs of various occasions.
Team Members: Hongbin Shen
Image Credits: LUREN DESIGN