Tea Time Avanoa Aganuʻu by Hang Chen is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award Apamemea in Mamanu Totonu Competition Category.

ApamemeaTotonu· 2025

Tea Time Avanoa Aganuʻu

by Hang Chen

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

A' Design Award Apamemea Winner in Totonu Category

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Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #172168

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Tea Time Avanoa Aganuʻu

O le Tea Time o se fale ti toe faʻafouga i le Taulaga Tuai o Jianshui, na faʻatinoina e tuʻufaʻatasia tu ma aga faʻaleaganuʻu ma le matagofie faʻaonaponei. E faʻaleleia ai le malamalama, le tafe o le ea, ma le tafe o avanoa aʻo tausia le matagofie faʻasolopito. E ono aafiaga auiliili o le ti e faʻaalia i totonu o se avanoa ua mamanuina e aupito lanu apamemea, faʻamatalaga manino, ma elemene faʻaalia e le natura. O le acrylic faʻatulagaina e le vai, paepae tioata, ma laau elm ua faʻasaoina e faʻatupuina se malaga faʻalagona, o loʻo faʻatulagaina ai e le fausaga ma le natura ia taimi taitasi.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Apamemea

O le A' Design Award Apamemea na manumalo ai Tea Time Avanoa Aganuʻu, o se faamaoniga matuā mamalu e tuuina atu i mamanu ese e iloga i le fatufatuaʻi, le atamai ma le poto. O ē manumalo i le Apamemea o mea e iai le tomai atoa ma fatufatuaʻi mataʻina e faamaonia ai le poto masani tele, le mafaufau ma le atamai o tagata mamanu. E faamoemoeina Tea Time Avanoa Aganuʻu e avea ma mea e vivii tele, ua pelepelea, e iloga i le tomai faapolofesa ma mea fou. O lenei mamanu na manumalo i le A' Design Award Apamemea e tuufaatasia ai faiga sili i le faatufugaga, saienisi, mamanu ma tekonolosi ma e sili ona lelei i le mataituina o mea itiiti. Tea Time Avanoa Aganuʻu e faamalieina matagofie manaʻoga, pa i manaʻo, faalataina lagona ma faaosofia le fia iloa.

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