The project is situated in Tong'an District, Xiamen City, Fujian Province, right next to undulating mountain ranges. Amidst the embrace of rugged hills and peaks, a charming black-roofed and white-walled house comes into sight. With a keen eye, one can discern its playful and agile silhouette. On sunny days, the ceaseless sunlight filters through the towering trees, casting dancing shadows on the tea house's roof, creating a captivating spectacle reminiscent of the lingering glow of dusk.

Part1 Freedom：Taking a brief respite in a faraway place.

At the end of 2019, amidst the dark storm of the pandemic that swept everyone's body and mind, designer Jon Nan began to rethink the connection between space, constraints, and freedom. As the founder of the studio "Listening" that focuses on furniture and architectural design, he aimed to break through limitations and create a place that resonates with people's inner peace in the face of societal changes and norms.

The pandemic forced the studio to halt in the busy urban life and find inspiration in the changing seasons of nature. Birds flying through the woods, lingering between the locked-down cities and the open mountains, reminded the studio's founder of the background of "The Wind Rises," where birds took flight lightly amid the ruins of disaster. The restless souls during the pandemic found a connection with the serene birds – is there a place where one's mind can be as free as a bird, escaping confinement for freedom, yet enjoying contentment within its boundaries?

In 2021, a conceptual architectural experiment began to take shape in the founder's mind. It needed to embody ideas of freedom, self-containment, and contentment while also having commercial viability, allowing it to stand on the seaside, mountains, grasslands, or anywhere else. The building had to be producible in large quantities, easily movable as a whole, and made from assembly-friendly materials, providing convenience and adaptability in any location.

One morning, while watering the tea house garden on the roof, the owner of the woodworking workshop, known as the "Wooden Fool," was surrounded by a group of birds playfully chirping and singing, creating a continuous and melodious symphony. This delightful encounter, coupled with the tea house's unique appearance, led to its name: "Chirpy Chatters." Unlike the initial tranquil and secluded impression of the building and its surrounding landscape, this name added a touch of liveliness and playfulness to it.

Part2 Solitude: Seeking a balanced freedom between relaxation and intensity.

With the vegetation undulating, ascending the steps, "Chirpy Chatters" resembles a curious little bird peeking through the branches. Sunlight filters through the leaves, casting instant dappled shadows on the tea house floor through the rice paper-made window frames, akin to an ink painting coming to life. "Listening" Studio envisions that visitors to the tea house can choose to open all the doors and windows, and sit on the warm and rustic wooden floor with bare feet, immersing themselves in the beauty of natural light. They can engage in conversations with the outside world, experiencing the courtyard's charm with every step. Alternatively, they can find inner peace in the tranquility of a moment when the curtains are drawn, savoring the soothing rhythm of their own breath.

In the post-pandemic era, after the nightmares have dispersed, the rules, efficiency, and troubles that pervade urban life still reign supreme, and the uncertainties of the future make freedom a floating and undefined concept. The essence of "Listening" Studio lies precisely in this tea house named "Chirpy Chatters," which can soar with the wind at any moment, freely and unconstrained. If one wishes to escape the hustle and bustle, they can also turn around and head towards the wilderness.