In Shanghai’s Pudong district, a sophisticated design project reinterprets the traditional tea house aesthetic with contemporary geometries and materials. Puju Design’s project has created the spatial and material embodiment of the ancient tea ceremony, a ritual that, first and foremost, is a quest for introspection, a state in which harmony, tranquillity and simplicity merge. It is a ritual where gestures and materials come together to form a codified scenography passed down through generations. Harmony between man and nature, meticulous attention to detail and a sense of suspended time are reflected in a space where nothing is left to chance and everything unfolds in a refined, harmonious sequence.
The building extends over two levels: the first floor is reserved for private use, while the ground floor serves as the public space for tea tasting and product displays. The centrepiece of the room is an imposing five-metre-long table which, in a marked departure from tradition, is not made of wood. Moving away from the traditional elements of Chinese tea rooms, the designers opted for a contemporary approach defined by linear geometries and high-tech materials. In place of wood, the table is made of porcelain stoneware, specifically Pietra di Savoia Antracite from Laminam’s I Naturali collection. This material evokes the feel of hand-hewn stone, delivering a tactile and visual experience and a surface that is resistant to heat, scratches and mould, as well as being exceptionally easy to clean.
This highly technological and minimalist structure is juxtaposed with the dynamic, natural element of water, which flows via a channel into a basin situated at the entrance, acting as an invitation to step inside while fostering a dialogue between technology and nature. The designers chose the same collection for the interior flooring, but for the interior and exterior walls opted for the Calce collection in the colour Nero – one of the boldest shades in the range, inspired by the simplicity of a freshly plastered wall.
To create a connection between interior and exterior, the designers opted for a consistent palette of black and silver tones, interrupted by the glossy green glass used for the table bases, display shelves and internal staircase. The colour of the glass is inspired by the famous Chinese landscape painting A Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains and the vibrant waters of Lake Bingdao, the area of origin of the tea served here.
