Tak Wan Tea House, Taikoo Li, Chengdu | NONG STUDIO

“Chengdu, carved out by Heaven millions of years ago, presents before the eyes a picturesque view of myriad beautifully decorated households.”——from Libai, poet in Tang Dynasty

Chengdu was eulogized by thousands of poems. Being commissioned that Tak Wan Tea House is to be introduced into Chengdu, we realize that it will have enjoyment to abide by Mencius philosophy of opportunities of time vouchsafed by Heaven——erudite and informed, advantages of situation afforded by the Earth——adaption to local context, and the union arising from the accord of Men——medication on interaction between east and west.

TANG-ORIENTED RHYME AND HERMIT IN THE CITY

It was drawn a winding corridor meanders like a ribbon and dancing sleeves in Tang dynasty, nevertheless, we look back into future to create something can resonate and meet modern life of urbanites in our times.

Tak Wan Tea House is adjacent to Daci Temple named by Emperor Xuanzong of Tang. After replacement of dynasties, it was finally rebuilt in late Qing Dynasty, is no longer grandeur comparing to its original appearance, it was an impressive landmark though.

Therefore, we take advantages from features of Tang Architecture, symmetrical but not rigid, elaborate but not slender, extensive but unpretentious, on the other hand, Bashu native architecture elements---wooden slatted structure with white clay wall, bridle porch under overhanging floor--- has been considered as well.

In terms of shopfront, black wooden bucket beams orderly stacking and protruding from facade, and accommodating with six 3-meters-tall, 0.6-meters-radius blue-and-white porcelain columns hand printed of cloud and dragon motif by Chinese artisan from Jingdezhen, were arrayed to form the eye-catching bridle porch. Interior part is rigidly axisymmetric, the ceiling outline comes from shape of pediment from Sichuan traditional architectural archway and supported by curved black wood beams, which defines intimate semi-private space along both flanks of the hall.

TRADITONAL CRAFTSMANSHIP WITH MODERN TEACHNOLOGE

Located at bridle porch area standing six 3-meters-high and 60-cm-diameter pillar, blue-and-white porcelain columns, hand printed by Chinese artisan from Jingdezhen, with dragons hovering among clouds motif, which took more than half a year from pulling embryo, drawing, glazing, and finally firing with considerably low yield.

Inspired by superb craftsmanship of double layer bamboo-weaving from Juanqin Zhai, the Forbidden City in Qing dynasty, we not only use its language to redesign the openable windows but also combining with high-tech laser carving optical glass and mirror effect film to reinterpret in a modern approach. The terrazzo flooring color ingredients form natural lapis lazuli and inlaid with Chinese traditional cloud shape made of solid brass, which is elaborately considered to pay homage to superb enamel craftsmanship of cloisonné.

EAST MEETS WEST

Adapting ancient forms for present-day use and mixing west with east.

The wall backdrop adorned with hand-painted wallpaper, was inspired by moon gate and fairy-crane motif from Juanqin Zhai, the Forbidden City. The brass hand-made lamps covering red velvet were redesigned and fixed on each pillars. The complex ceiling structure installed and decorated with several belt-driven fan (Brewmaster), originally used in western tavern of 1800s, is to adapt hot and humid climate of Chengdu. Furnitures, such as dinning table taking shape from Chinese Eight Immortals table and dining chairs subtly redesigned from Fledermaus Chair by Josef Hoffmann, is trying to make a dialogue between west and east.

Intelligent lighting system has been applied to switch space mood, warm white in daytime and blue red in the night, to delivery a fantastic experience timely and fractionally.

Tak Wan Tea House, as an exquisite and irreplaceable space, will tell its own story in Chengdu.