Louis Kahn once remarked that architecture stands as a silent barrier between us and the world, embodying the immeasurable quality of silence. This silence, the delicate equilibrium between stillness and light, holds an intangible serenity.
Project Name: Kwanisty Tea Life
Project Location: Quzhou, Zhejiang, China
Project Area: 300 ㎡
Design Time: 2023. 01
Completion Time: 2023. 04
Project Owner: Zhejiang Quzhou FEKA Furniture Co., Ltd.
Design Firm: Ideorealm Design
Chief Designers: Zhaopei Chen, Maowu He
Deepening Team: Yi She, Chaotong Lu, Guang Luo
Soft Decoration Design: Qiuping Huang from Yijian Design
Main Materials: bobo veneer, art paint, carbonized wood, natural stone skin
Photographer: Yun Ouyang
Brand Planning: Youliao Planning
The Play of Light
The interplay of light and shadow within architecture is sparked by the presence of light. From the strategic placement of lighting fixtures to the texture of materials and the spatial arrangement, the relationship between light and space is manipulated to create a distinctive atmosphere.
A Non-Traditional Tea House
This project is situated in Quzhou, renowned as the southeastern gateway to Confucianism, where breathtaking natural beauty beckons scholars and literati to ponder its magnificence. Inspired by the Chinese poem “Preface to the Orchid Pavilion Collection,” which extols the joys of sitting by a railing, drinking wine, and composing poetry, this venture fuses creativity with the concept of a non-traditional tea house.
A Blending of Past and Present
The treatment of the triangular area at the end departs from the traditional blank artistic conception found in landscape paintings. Through the harmonious integration of stone steps and artwork on the lightbox, a glimpse of the magnificent scenery that fuses the past and present is revealed. This modern interpretation of Chinese blank imagery captures the beauty of deep autumn, creating a visually expansive experience. The image and space blend seamlessly, dissolving boundaries and fostering an egalitarian tea space. The steps leading to another dimension offer room for participation and imagination.
A Tranquil Oasis
The extensive use of black carbonized wood imbues the space with a dignified and serene ambiance. Stepping into this environment instantly envelops visitors in the healing power of silence. The unadorned wall treatments, combined with glass bricks, evoke the spirit of ancient poetry, establishing a timeless harmony.
The Dance of Silence and Light
Silence is constant, while light fluctuates like a wave, and their interplay brings the space to life. The warm-toned lighting creates a dreamlike atmosphere, enhanced by thoughtfully designed decorative elements. The lingering aroma of tea and the suspended passage of time within the space provide respite for busy individuals to unwind and rejuvenate. This space has a healing effect, granting strength to those who enter. Quieting the mind is the path to inner healing, while purifying the mind leads to spiritual enlightenment.
Delight in Eastern Wonders, Step by Step
“Beauty is not inherent in objects but rather a reflection of the interplay between shadows and the light cast by various objects.” – Jun’ichirō Tanizaki, “In Praise of Shadows”
Simplicity and Elegance
Profoundness often manifests in the simplest forms. By letting go of complexities, we return to the essence and embrace elegance. The flow of movement from the entrance, characterized by an unconventional 45-degree angle, rejuvenates the spirit after a few steps, unveiling a space that is simultaneously simple and elegant at its core. This journey allows one to leave behind the intricate and connect with the essential, leading directly to the shared core space.
Flowing Serenity
Under a clear blue sky and gentle breeze, seven graceful rooms intertwine and twist throughout the space, each varying in size. The trajectory of light mimics flowing water, surging and reflecting, illuminating the surroundings with alternating brightness and darkness, gathering and dispersing. Within this environment, one can experience the utmost joy in seeing and hearing.
Poetry in Motion
Access to the tea room is available from either side of the main corridor, offering flexible movement and different vistas with each step. The steps adorned with green moss and curtains colored with shades of grass complement each other like poetry and painting, seamlessly integrating natural beauty and the allure of moss.
A Fluid Ambiance
By incorporating smooth, reflective materials and designing an inverted reflection on the ceiling, a sense of fluidity permeates the space, evoking the presence of water that pervades the surroundings without actually being visible. This interplay of light and shadow naturally conveys the soothing ambiance of flowing streams and tranquil mountain valleys. The contrast between brightness and darkness is particularly pronounced within this setting.
Unity with Nature
The seemingly casual design of the flow of movement adheres to the philosophy of harmony between humans and nature. Smooth lines, textured surfaces, and restrained embellishments reflect the Zen aesthetics and the tranquility of tea drinking.
Movement as Connection
The flow of movement represents the interaction between individuals and space, serving not only functional purposes but also establishing a connection between nature and the environment, thus providing abundant emotional value.
The Splendor of Silence
Tea embodies intention, while space creates ambiance. With flowers and a tea set, the act of tea drinking conveys the aesthetic beauty of the human connection with nature, with one another, and with art. Whether savored alone or shared with friends, taking a moment of tranquility amid the mundane allows one to appreciate the magnificence found in silence.
The Buddha once said, “Peace of mind surpasses bodily calmness and can only be achieved by following the natural path and nurturing a natural body.” In Kwanisty, one seeks not merely a cup of tea but an elegant refuge. Savoring a cup of clear tea, immersed in a world of plants and trees, listening to the stories of time, feeling the narratives of memories, and contemplating the present while recalling the past — such is the lingering essence left in the aftermath of the wind.
A New Era: Embodying the Essence of Tea Culture
Tea’s Exquisite Flavor
Its richness, longevity, and intoxicating allure are akin to walking a beautiful path.
Huang Tingjian, “Taste · Poetry of Tea”
Tea: An Ethereal Presence
Tea is not a symbol nor a concrete entity. It permeates every space, every moment, seeping into the air, clinging to the surroundings, pulsating with life. Time intertwines as one drinks in the mountains and rivers, savoring the blossoming wonders that complement each other harmoniously.
A Convergence of Air and Rhythm
Here, the air and rhythm converge before scattering through the passage. The design appears organic, yet it embodies the harmony between heaven and earth. Like a frozen proposition, it engages in a timeless dialogue across time and space. With a modern design sensibility, the essence of tea culture is refined, enticing more individuals to appreciate and love the traditions of tea.
