Chuji Ukuthengisa by Atsushi Murakami is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Umklomelo Webhulonzi we-A' Design Award in Ukudizayina Ingaphakathi Competition Category.

IbhulonziIngaphakathi· 2025

Chuji Ukuthengisa

by Atsushi Murakami

Client: design Chill-out inc.

Umklomelo Webhulonzi we-A' Design Award Winner in Ingaphakathi Category

11,515

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #161967

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Chuji Ukuthengisa

Nakuba lesi sitolo sihleli edolobheni lomhlaba wonke laseTokyo, sahlelelwa endaweni ethule ekude kancane. Kunezitolo eziningi ezigqamayo ezinomoya waseShayina endaweni ezungezile, kodwa lesi sitolo sinomoya wesimanje waseJapane we-Zen. Ngokusebenzisa izinto ezitholakala kalula, izindleko zigcinwe ziphansi, kuyilapho indlela yokusika nemininingwane yaklanywa ngobuhlakani ukuze kwenziwe kube yinto yokuqala nekhethekile. Futhi, ngokucabanga ngokuqhubeka, amaqabunga etiye asesetshenzisiwe omisiwe axutshwa ezintweni zokugubha ukuze asebenziselwe kabusha. Kuwukuveza okucebile ngokubukeka nangokunuka.

The Recognition

About the Umklomelo Webhulonzi we-A' Design Award

Chuji Ukuthengisa iwinile uMklomelo Webhulonzi we-A' Design Award, ukwaziswa okuhloniphekile kakhulu okunikezwa imiklamo ephawulekayo eyehlukaniswa ukudala, ubuhlakani nobukhali bengqondo. Abawinile beBhulonzi yimisebenzi enobuchule obukhulu nedala ngokumangalisayo eqinisekisa isipiliyoni esibanzi, umcabango nobuhlakani babaklami babo. Chuji Ukuthengisa ilindeleke ukuba ibe yinto exatshwa kakhulu, edunyiswayo nethandwayo, enobungcweti obuphawulekayo nezinto ezintsha. Lo mklamo owinile uMklomelo Webhulonzi we-A' Design Award uhlanganisa izindlela ezinhle kakhulu ebuciko, esayensi, ekuklameni nasebuchwepheshe futhi uhamba phambili ngenxa yokunaka kwawo imininingwane. Chuji Ukuthengisa iyanelisa izidingo ngokumangalisayo, ithinta izifiso, iheha imizwa futhi ikhanga ukufuna ukwazi.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: Cost control is important, especially when designing a small-scale store. By using readily available materials rather than special materials, we were able to keep costs down, while also creating an original and special space by devising cutting methods and details.
In addition, used tea leaves were dried, crushed, and mixed into the plastering materials. Even after being mixed in, the fragrance and slight color were extracted, and the texture was also evident, resulting in a unique finish.
Dimensions & Packaging: Area 66 Square meter , Ceiling height 2450mm , Seating capacity 10 people
Tags: chinese, tea, sweets, teahouse, factory
Production Technology: Another existing store discards about 600 kg of used tea leaves per year.It cannot be served to customers again, but it still has enough aroma and consciousness left in it.Of course, we will not be able to reuse or upcycle all of these materials in this project.Not only will this project appeal to the senses of touch and smell, but it will also raise awareness of sustainability at the same time.
Design Challenge: There are no straight sections in the seating area of this store.It is difficult to arrange tables efficiently.So we arranged a large table that follows the curve. However, a large table is inevitably heavy.To make it look lighter, we gave it a single leg and hung the end from the ceiling. This created a mysterious space where something heavy appears to be floating in the air.
Inspiration: The store is located in the multinational city of Tokyo.
Although there are many fancy Chinese restaurants in the neighborhood, we have created a gentle space that appeals to the senses of sight, touch, and smell, aiming for a modern Tokyo-style Chinese store.
Project Duration: The project started in April 2023 and finished in Aril 2024 in Tokyo
Operation Flow: Customers can choose and purchase products from the display cases and shelves, and those who make a reservation can enjoy a course set that includes carefully selected Chinese tea and sweets.