Silver Interior Space and Exhibition Design · 2026
Xiyuan Teahouse Hospitality Space
by Cao Sun
- A' Design Award 2026 Silver Winner in Interior Space and Exhibition Design
- Awarded April 15, 2026
- CLIENT: Nova Space Design
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 19,379
- Verification code A237C7C95C · Verify this award
About Xiyuan Teahouse Hospitality Space
Xiyuan Teahouse is a teahouse interior located beside West Lake in Hangzhou, China. The 1500 square meter space includes an elevated central tea platform, eight private rooms, a sculptural bronze staircase with inlaid greenwood railings, and a water feature integrated with the landscape. Handcrafted wood veneers and light toned plaster walls are used throughout. Custom framed windows open views toward the lake. A loop circulation path guides guests slowly through the rooms. The design reinterprets traditional Eastern aesthetics for a modern hospitality setting.
Drawing upon centuries of garden and teahouse traditions, this hospitality interior by Cao Sun achieves a remarkable synthesis of inherited cultural wisdom and contemporary spatial sensibilities that speaks to the enduring human desire for contemplative refuge within the accelerated pace of modern existence, the design demonstrates exceptional compositional intelligence through its orchestration of contrasting yet harmonious elements wherein the warmth and tactile familiarity of traditional timber construction enters into dialogue with the cool mineral presence of modernist concrete, creating a spatial narrative that honors historical craft while embracing contemporary material expression, the technical accomplishment reveals itself in countless refined details from the precisely calibrated rhythm of the rafter spacing to the exquisite selection of the scholar's rock whose form appears almost impossibly perfect in its evocation of mountain peaks, cloud formations, and the philosophical principles of emptiness and fullness that inform classical aesthetic theory, this geological specimen functions as more than decorative element serving instead as a meditation object that invites prolonged contemplation of natural forces operating across geological timescales, the chromatic restraint of the overall palette demonstrates sophisticated understanding of how limited color relationships can create atmospheres of exceptional refinement where the eye finds rest rather than stimulation, water features implied by the dark reflective surfaces suggest the cleansing and calming properties traditionally associated with garden design while the careful manipulation of natural and artificial light creates a sense of being simultaneously sheltered and connected to the larger natural world, viewers might consider how such spaces serve as contemporary interpretations of ancient wisdom about the human need for beauty, tranquility, and connection to nature within the built environment
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- This project reinterprets Oriental aesthetics through modern spatial language, blending symbolic elements, nature inspired materials, and layered spatial planning. Located by West Lake, it integrates landscape, function, and narrative to provide guests with a serene, immersive cultural experience. Its sculptural staircase, window-framed views, and poetic detailing create a unique sense of ritual and emotional resonance.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Total built area: 1500 square meters. Key spatial components include an elevated central tea platform, eight distinctive private rooms, a sculptural bronze staircase, and a landscape integrated water feature. Window systems are custom framed to optimize views and natural lighting. Materials are chosen to enhance symbolic and sensory experience.
- Tags
- Oriental Aesthetics, West Lake, Tea Culture, Immersive Space, Cultural Memory, Landscape Integration, Bronze Staircase, Handcrafted Materials, Poetic Space, Spiritual Retreat
- Production Technology
- The teahouse features handcrafted wood veneers, bronze clad spiral stairs with inlaid greenwood railings, artisanal light toned plaster walls, and custom crystal acrylic tea sculptures. Spatial planning follows a loop circulation strategy, optimizing lake views and operational efficiency while reinforcing the natural and cultural dialogue of the interior.
- Design Challenge
- The core challenge lay in reinterpreting traditional Eastern aesthetics in a modern hospitality context without resorting to pastiche. Balancing symbolic depth with operational needs, integrating natural and built landscapes, and addressing tourist engagement within a historically significant setting required careful design logic and cultural sensitivity.
- Project Duration
- The project started in January 2024 in Hangzhou, China and finished in October 2024.
- Operation Flow
- The design encourages slow paced, reflective engagement. Visitors enter through a symbolic gateway and follow a circular path that reveals lake views, private rooms, and shared tea platforms. Seating and height variations allow layered interaction with the scenery. The flow fosters both intimacy and openness, enhancing spiritual and sensory experiences.
- Research
- Design research began with site analysis and historical study of Wang Yutai Tea House and literati traditions. Methodology included archival review, interviews, and spatial simulations. Participants included hotel operators, historians, and tea masters. Insights informed symbolic design, spatial zoning, and sensory elements. Results strengthened cultural resonance and guest engagement.
- Inspiration
- The design was inspired by the century old heritage of the Wang Yutai Tea House and the refined literati lifestyle of West Lake's past. From the "West Lake Moon Gatherings" to the tranquil tea rituals, the project revives cultural memories through spatial storytelling, aiming to reconnect modern life with traditional Eastern ideals of beauty, balance, and contemplation.
- Image Credits
- Image #1: Photographer Zhang jianing, Xiyuan Teahouse, 2024.
Image #1: Photographer Zhang jianing, Xiyuan Teahouse, 2024.
Image #1: Photographer Zhang jianing, Xiyuan Teahouse, 2024.
Image #1: Photographer Zhang jianing, Xiyuan Teahouse, 2024.
Image #1: Photographer Zhang jianing, Xiyuan Teahouse, 2024.