Tea Time Umwanya w'Umuco by Hang Chen is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Igihembo cya A' Design Award cya Buronze in Igishushanyo cy'Imbere y'Inyubako Competition Category.

BuronzeImbere y'Inyubako· 2025

Tea Time Umwanya w'Umuco

by Hang Chen

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

Igihembo cya A' Design Award cya Buronze Winner in Imbere y'Inyubako Category

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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Tea Time Umwanya w'Umuco

Tea Time ni inzu y'icyayi yahinduwe mu Mujyi wa Kera wa Jianshui, yashizweho guhuza imigenzo gakondo n'ubwiza bugezweho. Yongera umucyo, imigendekere y'umwuka n'imiterere y'umwanya mu gihe yubahiriza ubwiza bw'amateka. Uburambe butandatu bw'icyayi bwo kwinjira burakurikiranya mu mwanya ushizweho imbonwa z'amabara y'umuringa, ibisobanuro bikoresheje ubutagaragara, n'ibintu byakurikije umurimo. Akrilik ifite imiterere y'amazi, amatafari y'ikirahure, n'ibiti by'elm byabitswe byera urugendo rw'imiyumvire, aho ubwubatsi n'umurimo bigira uruhare mu buri gihe.

The Recognition

About the Igihembo cya A' Design Award cya Buronze

Tea Time Umwanya w'Umuco ni uwegukanye Igihembo cya A' Design Award cya Buronze, ishimwe ry'agaciro gakomeye ritangwa ku bishushanyo by'indashyikirwa birangwa no guhanga, ubwenge n'ubushishozi. Abegukanye Buronze ni ibihangano bifite ubuhanga bwinshi kandi bihanga cyane, bishimangira uburambe, ubwenge n'ubushobozi bw'ababihanze. Tea Time Umwanya w'Umuco biteganyijwe ko izaba ikintu cyubahwa, gishimwa kandi gikundwa, gifite ubunyamwuga n'udushya. Iki gishushanyo cyegukanye Buronze gikoresha uburyo bwiza mu buhanzi, ubumenyi, ubushushanyo n'ikoranabuhanga kandi kirarenze mu gutaha ku tuntu duto. Tea Time Umwanya w'Umuco ishimisha ibyo dukeneye, ikora ku byifuzo byacu, itwara amarangamutima yacu kandi ikurura amatsiko yacu.

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