New Architecture Competition Announced — ‘Teaven’ to design A haven for tea enthusiasts— UNI.xyz
Tea culture
Tea is an ancient drink dating back to the 3rd Century AD, originally used as medicine in Southwest China. The Chinese held a monopoly of tea, but by the 17th Century, it became popular in Britain that furthered its production in their colonies, like India. Today, tea is a widely consumed drink around the globe, next to the water.
How did anyone stumble upon the concept of tea is debatable, but now we have a product with an array of versions. Tea can be made of leaves of Assam or China variety, by making an infusion of it. Herbal tea is a popular variant, made from herbs, drink flowers, and other natural ingredients to deliver profiles of sweet, nutty, floral, or grassy.
Adopted by many countries over the years, there are traditions and cultural appropriations that one must think of while brewing a simple cup of tea, as they are indicative of logical and scientific techniques behind the type of tea. The practice and art of tea making have become a part of daily life and culture for many communities, but its social role is more intricate than what is known.
How is tea culture manifest in an endemic society?
Commercial tea
As tea production became commercialized, its reach spread throughout the world, and many cultures elevated it to cater to social events. Tea ceremonies are traditional rituals in China and Japan, while tea parties are part of daily life in the United Kingdom, Turkey, India, and so on.
Tea is a caffeinated drink with stimulating properties, making it a favored trend. It was picked up by commercial establishments to provide public access in refined settings. The aesthetic of the tea-drinking surrounding is as important as the art and interaction in tea culture.
With this ideal, tea houses or tea rooms emerged that served tea and other refreshments. They are often extensions of hotels and their function varies with country culture. But these establishments are primarily social centers for interaction and communication, much like coffeehouses.
The experience of tea is often interpreted formally, but its potential as a social center can be explored in natural and informal settings. Instead of artificial quarters, a need to consume tea in a more natural state is gaining traction.
Brief of the competition
Brief: Design a tea center around tea fields that offers the experience of both native and exotic types of famous tea traditions and flavors, must be delivered in this single setting.
It will have a manufacturing wing accessible to the public. The facility is to be built around the narrative of tea, its history, evolution, and branches over the world. Spatial organization is key as the center will encompass functions of distinct natures under one roof. The facility must be accessible and relevant in the site context.
The aim is to accommodate all the traditions and cultural appropriations into a huge facility for a wholesome tea experience. The context of the site is sensitive and sustainable strategies must be employed so that no harm is inflicted on site.
The intrusion level of people in the factory spaces must be moderated to not disrupt the tea production process. Comfort and convenience must be achieved in design while providing an unadulterated insight into the world of tea.
Design objectives
- Concept — the facility layout must lay out the themes of tea cultures from different regions in a cohesive manner, keeping the experience authentic and inflicting no offense.
- Context — the design must respond to the sensitive location, environmental constraints as well as socio-cultural and economic background of tea in the site context.
- Landmark — the center will promote the value of the tea industry in the local area and wider contexts. Its aesthetic must have universal appeal.
- Access — public access must be controlled and given a direction that does not disrupt the functioning of factories and other operations on site.
- Sustainable — reduce the negative impact of design on the environment, by improving building performance, reducing waste, and ensuring comfort for occupants.
Site
India is one of the world’s largest tea producers thus making it an integral part of customs and cultural norms in households. It is produced mainly in the regions of Darjeeling, Assam, and Nilgiri. The site is located in Ooty, part of the Nilgiri district.
Famous for its teas and oils, Ooty is a tourist spot known for its agriculture industry. The terrain is riddled with contours all over, with a pleasant climate that is favorable for tea cultivation. The local community uses step farming to create tea fields in the region.
The site is located in the vicinity of many resorts and tea fields, making it a good spot for the project. It is beside the Ooty lake and Tree Garden.
Site area — 5785 sqm
Height restrictions — 6.0m
FAR- 1.0
Ground coverage — 40%
Coordinates — 11°23'59.6"N 76°41'31.2"E
Program outline
The area program for this exercise brings together spaces for exploration of tea, consumption, a learning center for local labor as well as a lodging facility for tourists to spend 1–2 nights on the premises. How the spaces are differentiated or united is up to the designers. Any other creative additions to the project may be added within the constraints.
- Spaces to learn — Museum & Gallery
- Spaces for leisure — Stay lodges (10 units), Lounging area, Cafe, Visitors Centre
- Spaces for experience — Tea rooms, Tea shop
- Spaces to work — Tea manufacturing wing, Learning center (for locals), storage, offices
Originally published at https://uni.xyz.
