Golden A' Design Award Winner 2020
Warm honey-toned timber dominates XIE MIN XUAN's Shiding Tea Ceremony Classroom, where an elevated wooden platform rises like a ceremonial stage above cool grey slate flooring, the deliberate contrast between warm organic surfaces and cool mineral bases establishing an immediate visual dialogue between earth elements and human craft. The compositional architecture follows a measured grid system with low rectangular tables arranged in precise parallel rows, their geometric regularity softened by circular woven zabuton cushions in natural straw hues that punctuate the floor plane like meditation markers awaiting contemplation. Overhead, an exposed beam structure of rich walnut-toned wood creates a protective canopy effect, the rafters converging toward the composition's depth while pendant light fixtures of delicate bamboo slat construction hang at measured intervals, their dome forms suggesting inverted lotus blossoms or traditional lantern silhouettes rendered in contemporary minimalist vocabulary. The chromatic palette maintains extraordinary discipline within an analogous warm harmony ranging from pale wheat through golden amber to deep umber, punctuated by the textured white of a feature wall at left and glimpses of verdant forest greenery through expansive glazing that frames the exterior landscape as living artwork. Natural illumination enters from multiple sources creating gentle luminosity without harsh shadows, the overcast daylight filtering through foliage to cast soft dappled patterns while concealed strip lighting beneath the platform edge provides a subtle halo effect that lifts the timber stage visually from its stone foundation. Spatial recession employs classical atmospheric perspective with the background stone wall and planted bonsai creating depth termination while the rhythmic repetition of tables, cushions, and pendant lights establishes a meditative visual tempo. The tactile vocabulary speaks of honest materiality where bamboo screens reveal their individual slat construction, timber shows natural grain variation, and woven seat cushions promise yielding comfort beneath contemplative postures, each surface celebrating craft heritage through contemporary execution that honors tradition while embracing present-moment clarity.
The designer uses large windows to eliminate human obstacles, perfectly reflects the spatial ideas of the tea guest culture, creates the openness and connectivity of indoor and outdoor spaces, and improves the level of communication and interaction between people. Making tea art is no longer just a learning class, but let participants experience the tranquility and integrity of tea, the harmony and unification of nature and people.