BASAO Tea Lounge

“Having learned the ways of silence / within the noise of urban life / I take life as it comes to me / and everywhere I am is true.”– Baisao

Entering the new BASAO Tea Lounge in Xiamen, China, one senses an instant change in pace, when the bustling cityscape is replaced by a calming acoustic. Merging not only tradition and contemporaneity, but also retail, café and rituals of ancient tea ceremonies, the new tea store encapsulates the entire encounter and experience of BASAO tea – honouring quality of life in the simple things, pure and meaningful daily amenities.Taking inspiration from the writings of Baisao, a Japanese monk of the Ōbaku School of Zen Buddhism, who became famous for traveling around Kyoto selling tea – and from whom BASAO took their name – Norm Architects have created a multifunctional tea store in the streets of Xiamen. With room for quiet contemplation, the space is a clear antidote to the fast paced on-the-go culture, instead immersing its visitors in the calming sounds of tea being prepared, poured, and enjoyed.

Sensing the purity of tea and its close relationship to nature is best portrayed using natural materials. The inherent colours and tactual sensation found in the chosen terracotta tiles, Chinese stone, oak wood, metals, and fabrics are both highlighted and toned down when combined with each other and bring an authenticity to the space that is unmatched by artificial materials and paints.Curated shelves and podiums display beautiful cups and cannisters alongside all kinds of tea, while handmade objects are displayed with a note about the making and use – illuminated to bring out texture and colour, inviting visitors to touch and explore. When interpreting key elements of tea culture and local features into contemporary variations, the setting is free to take unlimited forms while remaining relevant and recognizable.

In order to achieve altered levels of privacy, moments of surprise when exploring the space and a clear definition of functions, the space is not only layered through the use of light, but just as much with various architectural elements and materials, creating different settings for different occasions; slip into an inbuilt sofa, gently cushioned or choose a reclined chair with armrests to lean back and read a book; engage and study the knowing staff and be part of the everyday tea ceremonies at the grandiose stone counter. To be present and at ease, letting go of everyday haste requires individual comfort. Only then you will fully engage in the ‘spirit of the tea.

BASAO茶館

《擾擾市鄽寓此身，一條瘦杖伴孤貧，閙中用得靜中趣，隨處任緣立處真。》－賣茶翁偈語

走入位於中國廈門的嶄新BASAO茶館，繁華喧嚷的城市景觀瞬間被拋諸腦後，取代而之的是一股平靜，使人們頓時感受到節奏的變化。此間茶館新據點在結合了傳統和現代之餘，同時在空間中融入零售、咖啡店與古代茶道儀式等機能，藉以體現BASAO茶的品牌精神：在簡單的事物、純粹且有意義的平凡日常中，為生活品質致敬。

BASAO的名字來自日本黃檗宗禪僧賣茶翁（Baisao）的著作，他以遊走京都賣茶而聞名，而Norm建築師事務所也從中汲取靈感，在廈門街頭打造一間多功能茶館。這個充滿蘊含寧靜底蘊的空間，彷彿是快節奏時代中的一劑解藥，讓茶客能夠沈浸於泡茶、品茶的平靜氛圍裡。從空間選材而言，自然材料最能表現茶的純凈與天然。因而選用了陶瓦、中國石材、橡木、金屬和織布，使其色彩和紋理相互結合，和諧中亦彰顯著彼此，為空間帶來人造材料和油漆無法比擬的真實質感。精心設計的展示層架上陳列了所有茶的種類，以及精緻的茶杯和茶罐，每件手工製作的茶具亦有牌示描述用途與製法，在室內燈光設計下突顯其紋理和色澤，吸引顧客前來觸摸、探索。當茶文化和在地特色的關鍵元素結合為當代設計，其形式便無既定框架，並可同時保有連結性與識別度。

為了營造不同層次的隱私、探索空間的驚喜以及界定明確的功能區域，整體設計除了透過光線分佈定義場域，同時加入多種建築元素和材料，形塑各個機能的氛圍。可以輕鬆地在沙發或扶手椅上倚靠著背閱讀，抑或在宏闊的石材吧檯上，與知識淵博的店員一起來一場日常茶道儀式。為了活在當下，為了悠閒，為了自在，必須放下日常手邊的匆忙，唯有如此，你才能充分融入“茶之精神”，在鬧市中獲得靜謐，感受活在當下的片刻真實。

_

Norm Architects│Norm建築師事務所

normcph.com