KSANA Tea House is a contemporary and surreal take on the traditional tea house

Tea and tea houses hold profound significance in Asian cultures, transcending their purpose as mere beverages or spaces. They symbolise social harmony, mindfulness, and a cherished tradition of hospitality. As meditative rituals in many Southeast Asian cultures, tea ceremonies are often presented as something that foster inner tranquillity and connection with nature. These rituals, such as China's Gongfu Cha and Japan's Chanoyu, epitomise respect, balance, and shared experiences. In Thai culture, tea and tea houses serve as vital conduits of social connection and mindfulness. Rooted in ancient traditions, tea houses act as communal oases, where conversations flow freely, bridging generations and fostering camaraderie. They are venues for art, philosophy, and diplomacy, where diverse perspectives meld. JUTI architects, based in Thailand, have designed the KSANA Tea House, an experience centre that takes its visitor on a journey to explore the essence of time, balance, and escape from the chaos.

KSANA Tea House, in the bustling city of Bangkok, offers visitors an oasis of serenity and balance. The tea house draws inspiration from the brand itself. The name "KSANA" originates from the Sanskrit language, representing a small period of time or balance. This essence is embodied in the Thai word "ขณะ" (ka-na) and the Japanese word "刹那" (Setsuna), both signifying "moment" or "time." The architects are successful in encapsulating the spirit of the brand and crafting a unique experience that uses a surreal-minimalist ambience and revolves around matcha green tea.

The inspiration behind the design of the tea house was, "to create surreal-minimalist atmosphere for people to escape or trance away from the chaos of the city," mentioned founder and principal architect of JUTI architects, Juti Klipbua.

This flagship store is strategically located next to a public plaza and the OCC, a prominent office building. It is designed to be an urban oasis, resembling a serene gorge or cave. As visitors enter the teahouse, they are welcomed into a low-sloped inner cave space, offering a haven of privacy. They are greeted with the surreal, and seemingly minimalist, ambience that transcends colours, shapes, and materials. The space is cleverly divided into two sections—one for takeaway and delivery pick-up to reduce noise and chaos, and the other for a sit and drink area. The segregation of these two types of activities creates a truly pastoral affair for visitors who want to slow down and experience the ceremonial nature of tea time. The interior design aims to create a lasting memory, offering an escape from the chaos and hustle-bustle of busy Bangkok streets.

The sit-down area of the tea house is carefully crafted to resemble a cave. The architects use the sloping space under the staircase to create this cave-like ambience. "The biggest challenge of this project was the site condition, particularly the slope under (the) staircase. But we used that as (an) advantage to create the cave space deep inside the tea house for a more (private) experience," adds Klipbua. The entire interior design here creates a secondary skin for the tea house. We are used to seeing facade designs as solely an exterior feature. Here, however, we see a meticulously designed and crafted interior facade that gives the entire tea house its visual identity. Klipbua continues, "The other challenge was to find the right texture of the cave wall, that matched both the human visual experience and looked good in photographs, while also being easy to maintain."

The walls of this cave-like space are crafted using fiberglass which has been shaped using CNC foam machines. They are also adorned with intricate sculptures from the Art of Tea, keeping in with the theme of the tea house. Oak-coloured tables and countertops complement the black stone teacups and dessert plates, creating an enchanting and soothing atmosphere. Additional speakers decorated with artificial flowers by renowned Japanese artist Ganon Florist enhance the overall experience.

In a cultural context that takes the ceremonial nature of drinking tea very seriously, KSANA Tea House is so much more than just a teahouse, it attests to the profound harmony that tea culture embodies. It's an escape—designed to be a moment frozen in time where chaos fades away, and peace prevails. This unique space, designed and crafted with precision, where each curve and texture is an ode to the essence of tea, invites visitors to embrace the essence of Ksana—a small period that brings true harmony to their souls.

Project Details

Name: KSANA Tea house
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Year of completion: 2023
Gross Built Area: 51 sq.m
Design Firm: JUTI architects