Kooo Architects draws from traditional tea houses

 

Japanese studio Kooo Architects unveils théATRE Tea Pavilions, a project that creates an urban tea house experience, blending tea, food, and art in Beijing, China. The concept draws from traditional tea houses, inviting functional elements that enhance the drinking experience. A solid wood countertop bridges the making process inside with the outside world as the tea artist interacts with customers through it. The symbolic form of the tea house, through a sloping roof and open window, creates a distinct visual identity for the pavilion. The roof is clad in custom diamond-shaped metal tiles, offering durability and an organic, curvilinear form.

 

Sustainability is central to the théATRE Tea Pavilions, with the architecture team designing each structure to be reusable. The pavilions can be fully disassembled, transported, and reassembled at new locations, making them adaptable to various settings. The structural components are divided into units, allowing for efficient production, assembly, and transportation.

series of reusable pavilions by kooo architects spreads tea culture in downtown beijing
all images by Yumeng Zhu, Horikoshi Keishin , and SS, courtesy of Kooo Architects

 

 

théATRE Tea Pavilions create places for resting in beijing

 

Shanghai- and Tokyo-based Kooo Architects and Chinese tea brand théATRE create small, community-centered stations within the city, offering spaces for tea tasting, connection to tea culture, and sustainability in urban environments. Located in the atrium of Sanlitun’s West District, the pavilion offers passersby the experience of the leisurely pace tea culture is known for. Interior and exterior finishes use natural materials like diatom mud, which provides a rough texture reminiscent of the earth. Solid wood countertops with natural edges create a physical connection between the customer and the brand’s nature-inspired products.

 

théATRE tests a community-based business in the urban area of Beijing, aiming to offer more chances for people to taste tea. Therefore, the uncertainty of the site has become an issue, and Kooo Architects gives the solution that uses the symbolism of the tea house to strengthen the memory of passersby. These urban pavilions form base stations to create resting places for tea tasting and spread tea culture in the city.

series of reusable pavilions by kooo architects spreads tea culture in downtown beijing
under this urban grove, a storage cabinet with the glowing logo and the main pavilion define the entire space

series of reusable pavilions by kooo architects spreads tea culture in downtown beijing
next to a busy intersection, the opening of the tea pavilion welcomes the public

series of reusable pavilions by kooo architects spreads tea culture in downtown beijing
the tea pavilion retains a small logistical window on the side of Sanlitun Road

series of reusable pavilions by kooo architects spreads tea culture in downtown beijing
the height of the bar counter breaks the continuous curve of the roof

series of reusable pavilions by kooo architects spreads tea culture in downtown beijing
L-shaped service window of théATRE Tea Pavilion

series of reusable pavilions by kooo architects spreads tea culture in downtown beijing
window edges feature wooden countertops that customers can touch

series of reusable pavilions by kooo architects spreads tea culture in downtown beijing
the service window under curve metal roof gives a shelter for the passers-by

 

 

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diamond-shaped metal tiles clad the roof
diamond-shaped metal tiles clad the roof
the tea artist interacts with customers through the countertop
the tea artist interacts with customers through the countertop
the tea pavilion presents the rectangle shape which is influenced by the limit of site
the tea pavilion presents the rectangle shape which is influenced by the limit of site
aerial view of théATRE Tea Pavilion 1 in 3F, Taikoo Li Sanlitun West, Beijing
aerial view of théATRE Tea Pavilion 1 in 3F, Taikoo Li Sanlitun West, Beijing

project info:

 

name: théATRE Tea Pavilions
architect: kooo architects | @koooarchitects
design team: Shinya Kojima, Ayaka Kojima, Kotaro Kitakami, Xueying Xiong
location: Pedestrian Street, Taikoo Li Sanlitun South, Beijing | 3rd Floor, Taikoo Li Sanlitun West, Beijing, China 
area: 20.25 sqm (217.96 sqft) | 15.66 sqm (168.56 sqft)
photographer: Yumeng Zhu | @yumeng_zhu_coppakstudio, Horikoshi Keishin | @keishinhorikoshi, SS

 

 

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: thomai tsimpou | designboom