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CL3's tea house in china uses wood, bamboo and marble to reflect on the zen aesthetic

‘tao hua yuan’ is a contemporary structure employing vernacular architecture atop a hill and carved into a young forest, located in a hot spring resort area outside of nanjing, china.

‘tao hua yuan’ is a contemporary structure employing vernacular architecture atop a hill and carved into a young forest, located in a hot spring resort area outside of nanjing, china. used as a tea house to promote the chinese culture of tea drinking, while being innovative, it seeks to meet the demands of modern life. the building is divided into a tea lounge, a calligraphy room, and a restaurant.

the hong kong based firm CL3 architects has utilized a quite simple style and zen aesthetic to bring a tranquil and free space to the bustling city. ‘tao hua yuan‘ is in a clear outline of single rectangles, tucked away in the forest just like a masterpiece of nature. while the marble is strong and steady, the glass is clear and pure, thus the facade harmoniously combines hardness and softness, as well as virtual and real, giving the house a contemporary look.

the interior becomes the extension of the architecture — simple materials such as wood, bamboo and marble are used together with concise lines to create a zen tranquility. the overall palette remains simple and soft, incorporating traditional elements like scholar rocks, lanterns, paintings and works of art to create a tranquil environment that is one with nature. scholar rocks are massive rocks recovered from the river beds with naturally eroded holes and wrinkles. six massive rocks sit on a platform of black mirror simulating water reflection. this serves as a piece of art installation as well as dividing the tea house into semi-private zones. the verticality of the young forest is reinforced by the vertical lines in the interior design in the background of black glass.

custom-designed furniture and lighting along with interior hard decoration reflect the importance of balance in chinese style. the low-rise furniture which prevailed in ancient times when people tended to ‘sit on the floor’, as well as modern high-type furniture are used in the tea house. they are mainly made of wood and are in simple colors, containing both classical charm and fresh ideas, giving a contemporary interpretation to the chinese cultural heritage.

CL3's tea house in china uses wood, bamboo and marble to reflect on the zen aesthetic

Details

  • Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
  • CL3 architects

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