Tea Time Espaço Cultural by Hang Chen is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award de Bronze in Design de Espaços Interiores e Exposições Competition Category.

BronzeInterior· 2025

Tea Time Espaço Cultural

by Hang Chen

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

A' Design Award de Bronze Winner in Interior 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 Espaço Cultural

Tea Time é uma casa de chá reimaginada na Cidade Antiga de Jianshui, projetada para mesclar tradição com estética moderna. Aprimora luz, fluxo de ar e fluxo espacial enquanto preserva o charme histórico. Seis experiências imersivas de chá se desdobram em um espaço moldado por fachadas em tons de cobre, detalhes transparentes e elementos inspirados na natureza. Acrílico com textura aquática, azulejos de vidro e madeira de olmo preservada criam uma jornada sensorial, onde arquitetura e natureza moldam cada momento no tempo.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award de Bronze

Tea Time Espaço Cultural conquistou o A' Design Award de Bronze, um reconhecimento altamente prestigiado atribuído a designs notáveis que se distinguem pela criatividade, engenho e perspicácia. Os vencedores do Bronze são artefactos amplamente habilidosos e surpreendentemente criativos que comprovam a vasta experiência, imaginação e capacidade de iniciativa dos seus designers. Espera-se que Tea Time Espaço Cultural seja um objeto muito considerado, admirado e estimado, notavelmente profissional e inovador. Este design vencedor do A' Design Award de Bronze incorpora as melhores práticas em arte, ciência, design e tecnologia e é excelente pela sua atenção ao detalhe. Tea Time Espaço Cultural satisfaz esplendidamente necessidades, toca desejos, encanta sentimentos e desperta curiosidade.

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