Zhangjiajie tea house garden.
Second year master project 2.
In collaboration with Sun Yuan
autumn 2016 (12 weeks)
Project.
A modern art museum in Zhangjiajie is looking to expand their current garden into an adjacent plot. Drawing heavily on Chinese tea culture, the brief states that any design proposal needs to include five different tea houses. These should share a design concept inspired by traditional Chinese ink paintings.
Inspiration.
People reference the old Chinese tea culture as a form of refuge from the contemporary world, a different state of conscious existence. Enjoying tea with simplicity, clearing the body and mind. Removing superfluous elements, material obsession and being one with nature.
Looking at Chinese ink paintings we found inspiration in the way ink dries on paper. The softness in light, form and texture can be replicated through spatial architectural exploration. From transparent to translucent material we search for an architectural expression that emanates the soft light effect of the ink painting. We experimented with frosted glass, paper, perforated facade structure and settled on partial rope walls. The rope lets light through and makes the experience of being inside fade away, instead putting emphasis on being in nature.
The classical Chinese garden is a guide to designing our own garden. These gardens are designed so the visitor can't overlook the entire area. The garden is divided into various spatial enclosures, making it feel larger than it actually is. They are configured to create various moods and sceneries to appreciate during a walk through the garden, an experience that changes with the seasons.
Concept
The architecture should exist in reduced form, with the purpose of “framing” a moment and nature. Using minimal structures and simple tectonics, the visitors experience of nature becomes more intimate.
Acting as shelter and definition of space the roof becomes the main spatial element of our concept. Enclosing vertical elements are inspired by Chinese ink paintings. Walls blurring the boundaries between inside and outside are not "solid", diffusing light and embracing nature..
With different walking paths we want to influence the way people experience our garden. By alternating step size / spacing, visitors have to focus on the path and elements of the garden in a choreographed way. The orientation of each path also reveals different areas.
“Tree“ tea house.
Instead of putting attention to itself the focus of our design is to provide a frame of nature. The line between structure and the surrounding environment is softened by the teahouse design. Our facade mimics a translucent screen that blurs the buildings spatial enclosure and becomes a less tangible border between in- and outside. The shifted building volume adds a secluded space around the building, shaded by a rope roof / wall to provide cool and shade. The surrounding trees provide a dynamic environment that changes with the seasons.
“Stone garden“ tea house.
Artificial rock gardens and mountains are a requiring part of the traditional garden design. The colour of the vegetation is altered slightly to give a separated visual experience. Designed around a red maple tree the smallest teahouse frames a view towards the landscape and acts as an embracing shelter. The building is positioned to fully appreciate daylight, the rope wall temper the bright light and spread it evenly throughout the space.
“Bamboo“ tea house.
We don’t want to compete with the beauty of nature. In the secluded part of our garden vegetation have a less controlled design. We wanted to use architecture to enhance the appreciation of the natural organic growth. The building blends into the vegetation through the choice of materials and the placement of the teahouse. Opening partially towards the encircling wall of bamboo, the structure opens up to a private external space.
“Water“ tea house.
Focused on the classic element of water in a Chinese garden, our new pond connects to the existing plan of the art museum. Using the cool, calming presence of water, visitors can find an escape from the stress of everyday life. An elevated platform extends over the small body of water. With an exposed stage the teahouse has a divided program, doubling as event space for expositional tea ceremonies and a private space to listen to the sound of rain.
“Meeting“ tea house.
A building with close connection to the art museum open for public / private meetings and events. The design revolves around a flexible facade which offers a private space but allows for larger public gatherings. The interior space is a minimalistic design, so that nature could be appreciated more from within, using folding / movable walls, opening up a panoramic view of the garden.
