Commissioned by tea beverage brand CHA JI to design their first tea store in Shaoxing. The brand was founded in 2022 and mainly deals with tea drinks, tea wine, desserts and tea products. The project is located in Keqiao, Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, in a small independent ancient building with two floors, an area of 200 m². The store sells tea by day, wine by night, occasional small gatherings, and small art events.

Shaoxing stone, tin pots, and black felt hats are extracted from the regional culture and injected into the space at multiple levels. Stepping in, old stone slabs, small green bricks, clear cement, and messy aluminum plates create the main bar, clear and cool and full of power. We have retained the four columns of the original building, placed in the tea pavilion is also the concept of the bar, in ancient times, the tea pavilion can shelter from the wind and rain, rest and stay; pavilion both physical shelter, scenery and social functions. Visitors passing by, and nearby residents are welcome to come in for a seat and a cup of tea. Can sit around the bar and along the window. The sound of making and pouring tea and the taste of various kinds of tea bring a warm and relaxing feeling. The patchwork recombination of materials from different eras awakens the memory of the handmade era and showcases the tradition and culture behind the modernist form.

Step up to the shared space on the second floor, which is limited in size but infinitely interesting. The space is divided into small private parties, private rooms and some casual customers. It is a place to share life with friends, to savor the pleasures of life, and to slowly realize the moment when the mind is quieted, the meeting of spirit and beauty, the discussion of mind and wisdom, and the encounter of stillness and emptiness.

In addition to the sensory qualities of tea, the interaction between the natural elements of the space and the objects in the ritual also influence the experience. The furniture we place in the space is "sculpted". Tea tables, chairs, sculptural volumes and masses create and shape the surrounding space. Throughout the design process, if the hard furnishings shape the space, the soft furnishings add more dimension and create an emotional link. By linking materials and geometric proportions to bring the complete realization of function, the architectural sense of proportion is appropriately integrated throughout, expecting the product and space to work together to convey the brand's vision and new sense of value. The material extraction respond to Shaoxing humanities and arts. Presenting the spirit of oriental aesthetics with contemporary restraint, creating a tea space form that can dialogue with people in a calm manner and cleanse the tired souls in the city.