cloud tea room emerges from chinese hillside along with white steel poles infusing fog

plat asia's fog installation enhances the experience, contributing to a dynamic interplay between the virtual and real.

PLAT ASIA edited by sofia lekka angelopoulou November 28, 2023 3 min

PLAT ASIA shapes Cloud Tea Room as a contemporary teahouse

PLAT ASIA’s Cloud Tea Room is situated on a hillside within the Lu Yu Tea Cultural Campus in Huzhou, China, forming part of the Xisaishan Resort. The design draws from traditional teahouse typologies, reimagining them with modern materials and environmental considerations. Positioned as part of a cultural resort, the teahouse aims to blend seamlessly into various landscapes, such as tea fields, hills, lakesides, and forests. Cloud Tea Room specifically sits on the highest point of the resort, offering a contemporary take on the traditional teahouse experience.

cloud tea room emerges from chinese hillside along with white steel poles infusing fog - 1 — all images by ©YIXINJIA unless stated otherwise

white steel poles form a path between tea fields and hills

The architectural strategy focuses on minimizing the physical presence of the structure, creating a sense of connection between the tea room, its surroundings, and visitors. The design by PLAT ASIA incorporates 170 steel poles that support both the tea room and a landscape installation, forming a path between tea fields and hills. The steel poles, organized through parametric design, create an outline and space resembling clouds. The fog installation enhances the experience, contributing to a dynamic interplay between the virtual and real, as visitors navigate through mist and cloud.

cloud tea room emerges from chinese hillside along with white steel poles infusing fog - 2 — Cloud Tea Room graces the hillside of Lu Yu Tea Cultural Campus | image by ©PLAT ASIA

The overall construction materials include white color-coated steel panels, ultra-clear glass, self-leveling white cement, tatami bamboo mats, matte acrylic boards, and spray equipment. The Cloud Tea Room delicately integrates with the natural environment, offering a unique and immersive experience for tea enthusiasts within the Xisaishan Resort.

cloud tea room emerges from chinese hillside along with white steel poles infusing fog - 3 — the teahouse is a modern interpretation, considering materials and environmental impact | image by ©PLAT ASIA

cloud tea room emerges from chinese hillside along with white steel poles infusing fog - 4 — the structure seamlessly merges into the diverse hill landscape | image by ©PLAT ASIA

cloud tea room emerges from chinese hillside along with white steel poles infusing fog - 5 — Cloud Tea Room sits on the highest point of the Xisaishan Resort | image by ©Fan Xiaoxu

cloud-tea-room-plat-asia-china-designboom-1800-3 — the design incorporates 170 steel poles, supporting the tea room and landscape installation

cloud tea room emerges from chinese hillside along with white steel poles infusing fog - 6 — the steel poles create an ethereal outline and space reminiscent of drifting clouds

cloud tea room emerges from chinese hillside along with white steel poles infusing fog - 7 — PLAT ASIA organizes the steel poles positioning through parametric design

cloud-tea-room-plat-asia-china-designboom-1800-2 — the design fosters a connection between the tea room, its surroundings, and visitors

project info:

name: Cloud Tea Room

architect: PLAT ASIA | @platasia

lead architect: JUNG Donghyun

design director: Liu Guowei

design team: Chen Yiyi, Li Manying

project team: Lian Jingyun, Liao Yuanyu

clients: XiSaiShanQian Resort, Lu Yu Tea Cultural Campus

location: XiSaiShanQian Resort, Huzhou City, China

photography: YIXINJIA – Fan Xiaoxu – PLAT ASIA

video: BBE

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