Through spatial division, material tactility, and light control, the KSANA Tea Room transforms an urban crevice into an immersive tea ceremony experience, redefining the meaning of an “urban pause” through design language.
Design Philosophy: A Vessel for Tea Ceremony in Time and Space
- “A Moment of Pause” Concept: The tea room is envisioned as a “container for fleeting moments,” where materials and light together narrate the passage of time (e.g., twilight lighting effects at closing time echoing the square’s water features).
- Unity of Function and Aesthetics: The lightweight curves and handcrafted textures of fiberglass mirror the “precision and touch” of matcha preparation, while the combination of wood and stone balances modernity with traditional warmth.
Spatial Narrative
1.Transition of Space
∙The tea room is located beneath the public staircase of the OCC office building in Bangkok, using double-layer glass doors to transition from the “bustle of the square” to the “ritualistic ambiance of tea ceremony.”
∙Entrance design: The outer lobby on the ground floor handles takeout orders, diverting crowds to maintain the tranquility of the main hall. The interior tea-drinking area features a lowered ceiling following the staircase structure, creating a sheltered feeling akin to “a canyon enveloped by the city.”
2.Functional Zoning
∙Separation of Efficiency and Immersion: The space is divided into a “quick pickup zone” and a “slow-drinking zone,” ensuring focus on the tea ceremony process.
∙Seating is arranged along the slope of the staircase, with low recessed designs providing a private tea-drinking experience that aligns with the ritualistic rhythm of Japanese tea ceremonies.
Materials and Ambiance
1.Cave-Like Surface
∙Fiberglass Walls: Formed using CNC foam molds and hand-scraped to create delicate textures that capture changing light and shadows while absorbing sound.
∙Contrast of Warm and Cool Materials: Oak-colored tables and chairs soften the coolness of fiberglass, while black stone tea sets and dessert plates enhance visual layers, highlighting the natural hues of matcha.
2.Narrative Details
∙Artificial floral accents with miniature speakers, paired with works by Japanese floral artists, add a touch of drama to the tranquility.
∙Lighting and acoustic designs deliberately mute external urban dynamics, creating a “surreal minimalist” atmosphere where the aroma and warmth of tea become the sensory focus.
Photography courtesy of Juti Architects
