The Daci Monestary Teahouse Interieurontwerp Theehuis by Hongbin Shen and Lu Xia

The Daci Monestary Teahouse Interieurontwerp Theehuis by Hongbin Shen and Lu Xia is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award in Brons in Cultureel Erfgoed en Cultuurindustrie Ontwerp Competition Category.

BronsCultureel Erfgoed· 2026

The Daci Monestary Teahouse Interieurontwerp Theehuis

by Hongbin Shen and Lu Xia

Client: Luren Design

A' Design Award in Brons Winner in Cultureel Erfgoed Category

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The Design

About The Daci Monestary Teahouse Interieurontwerp Theehuis

Het Daci Monastery Theehuis is een interieurontwerp voor een historisch gebouw in Chengdu. Het theehuis beslaat ongeveer 500 vierkante meter, verdeeld over twee verdiepingen. De oorspronkelijke houten constructie werd versterkt en gerepareerd, waarbij de verouderde balken, pilaren en houtsnijwerk behouden bleven. Traditionele deuren, gesneden latwerkramen en modulaire scheidingswanden verdelen de ruimte in privékamers en een openbare lounge. Meervoudig gekoppelde schuif-vouwramen vouwen naar één kant, zodat de gesloten kamers kunnen worden geopend tot semi-buitenruimtes voor het theedrinken. Er is gebruikgemaakt van gouden sandelhout en pen-en-gatverbindingen, zonder spijkers of lijm.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award in Brons

The Daci Monestary Teahouse Interieurontwerp Theehuis is winnaar van de A' Design Award in Brons, een hoogst prestigieuze erkenning die wordt toegekend aan uitstekende ontwerpen die zich onderscheiden door creativiteit, vindingrijkheid en scherpzinnigheid. Winnaars in Brons zijn ruimschoots vaardige en opvallend creatieve artefacten die de grote ervaring, verbeelding en het vernuft van hun ontwerpers bevestigen. The Daci Monestary Teahouse Interieurontwerp Theehuis wordt verwacht een hooggewaardeerd, bewonderd en gekoesterd object te zijn dat opmerkelijk professioneel en innovatief is. Dit ontwerp dat de A' Design Award in Brons heeft gewonnen, verwerkt de beste praktijken in kunst, wetenschap, ontwerp en technologie en is uitstekend door zijn aandacht voor detail. The Daci Monestary Teahouse Interieurontwerp Theehuis bevredigt schitterend behoeften, raakt verlangens, charmeert gevoelens en spreekt de nieuwsgierigheid aan.

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