linehouse stacks stainless steel teahouses on green terrazzo in shanghai

architecture studio, linehouse, has designed the tingtai teahouse located in a former factory space and art gallery in shanghai’s art district of moganshan road.

architecture studio, linehouse, has designed the tingtai teahouse located in a former factory space and art gallery in shanghai’s art district of moganshan road. the client, a tea enthusiast, sought to create a traditional chinese teahouse with a modern aesthetic. traditionally, these spaces are made up of private rooms in which friends can gather to chat, socialise and enjoy the ritual of tea.

the existing space was stripped back to its raw state, exposing the patina of the concrete structure and the old brick walls and ceiling. an existing mezzanine was removed to expose a double height space with high level clerestory windows. a series of teahouses with shifting roof lines were inserted into the interior. in the double height space linehouse stacked teahouses that are framed at either end with full height glass, offering views and natural light from the windows above.

the teahouses are clad in brushed darkened stainless steel, emitting a blurred reflection of the surrounding existing space. the teahouses rest on a green terrazzo floor, allowing guests to inhabit this landscape with tables or recessed seating nestled within. the interiors are clad in smoked oak to create a simple yet warm space. at lower level a glass horizon frames the teahouse interior, providing privacy at eye level while still maintaining a sense of the activity beyond.

the main space is used for events or to host temporary art exhibitions. upon entering tingtai teahouse from the street, a floating staircase held by a fine metal green structure and white nougat terrazzo lines the walls and floors, taking guests to the upper floor. the green metal structure and terrazzo extends out into the street to create the teahouse façade. overall, the combination of traditional and contemporary materials creates a modern aesthetic while still harking back to the classic idea of a chinese teahouse.