Set in the tranquil landscape of Lidu Gardens in Beijing, China, the Blue Lake-Lakeside Teahouse’s façade resembles bamboo branches swaying in the wind. The building, which was formerly a furniture display showroom, is tucked away, hidden from view by the dense foliage of the trees in the park. In their design for the teahouse, Chinese architecture practice YI+MU attempted to marry the old and the new—renovating and working with the structure of the existing building, and introducing elements in the interior design to accommodate the new functions. The architectural studio has previously worked on other refurbishment projects such as the Shenzhen Qizhushe Workshop that involved the renovation of an industrial factory.

The practice of drinking tea in China carries both cultural and spiritual significance. Brewing tea is a ritualistic process—it takes time and allows you to think—and is linked to harmony, peace, happiness and truthfulness. While the tea ceremony has evolved; like in many Asian countries, the act of drinking tea is still considered an almost spiritual experience. Thus, the primary aim of the design team was to create a space that allowed people to unwind in the midst of greenery, away from the hustle of the city. Elaborating on the intent further, the architects relayed, “In our redesign, our objective was to preserve the integrity of the building's exterior while allowing it to emerge once again from the natural environment and capture people's attention…Therefore, we employed a design approach that combines preservation with thoughtful modifications, allowing it to retain its original character while infusing it with new elements.”

To enter the teahouse, a visitor has to follow a winding path around a lake, from the northern gate of the park. The ‘entry ceremony’, with the rustling leaves of the trees and quiet chirp of the birds is part of the visitor experience, akin to the wait for the tea to bloom after the leaves have been steeped. The visitor is greeted by an unassuming structure, with alternating glass panels offering glimpses of the interiors. The former furniture showroom’s façade used copper pipes resembling bamboo to wrap around the exterior. These weathered with age, giving off an air of neglect about the place. The adaptive reuse exercise incorporated a diverse range of materials, including wood, bamboo steel, steel, and aluminium alloys, that added textural character to the building.

A platform separating the lawn from the teahouse also distinguishes the design from the terrain. The two-metre-wide deck, defined by a gravel moat accommodates outdoor seating. Through its materiality, the teahouse described as a ‘floating island’ is constantly in dialogue with its context.

A staircase framed by concave wooden panels greets the visitor on the ground floor. The concave grille was designed keeping in mind feng shui principles, and to offer guests on the ground floor fleeting glimpses of the activities on other floors. A skylight in the double-height space and floor-to-ceiling windows flood the area with ample natural light while star-shaped wire-framed lamp pendants add a sense of whimsy to the otherwise minimal hospitality interiors. Grille-patterned wooden panels further divide the different spaces on the ground floor which include: two private tea rooms, and a communal space that looks out onto the park, enhancing the occupants’ connection to the outside and to nature. A muted colour palette of beige and grey creates a serene atmosphere where the visitor can unwind and enjoy their warm tea.

An exhibition space, designed like a tea vault, becomes a transitional zone to the tea rooms on the upper floor. This display area is primarily dedicated to showcasing premium, collectible-grade tea products from various brands. Glass windows have been designed to allow visitors a peek into the displays while also highlighting the preciousness of the collectible-grade tea leaves.

The upper floor includes an open plan seating and private tea rooms. The glass roof undersides of the private tea rooms are covered in bamboo mats. Throughout the day, shifting sunlight paints flowing patterns on the floor. A skylight from the former structure was converted into a glass tea pavilion on the terrace. The glass box allows visitors to immerse themselves into the natural landscape.

Over a thousand years, teahouses and the ritual of tea drinking in China have evolved significantly. However, the most vital aspects of the ceremony are still about allowing the visitor a moment of pause, relaxation and contemplation. As lead designers Yi Chen and Muchen Zhang elaborate, “In our view, today, we don't need to extract profound philosophical insights from the act of tea drinking. Instead, we aim to simplify the ritual of tea consumption, allowing modern individuals to unwind, savour moments of serenity, and experience a straightforward sense of design.” The design for Blue Lake-Lakeside Teahouse creates an environment where the act of drinking tea is enhanced by the calmness of one’s surroundings, where there is almost no separation between the built and unbuilt, the spiritual and material. The space is designed to evoke a feeling as transcendental as drinking your first cup of tea on a quiet day.

Project Details

Name: Blue Lake-Lakeside Teahouse
Location: Beijing, China
Client: Beijing Blue Lake Catering Management Company
Architect: YI+MU Design Office
Constructor: Beijing Huitengjiansheng Decoration Engineering Co. ,Ltd
Chief Designers: Yi Chen,Muchen Zhang
Design Team: Wujie Li, Zhiqiang Yang, Yi Xiao ,Yanrong Yang, Xu Zhang, Wei Zeng
Area: 340 sqm (indoor), 170 sqm (outdoor)
Year of Completion: 2023