Lakeside Teahouse: A Harmonious Blend of Tradition and Modernity

Nestled in a serene landscape at the foot of a hill and just a hundred meters from the tranquil lake shore, the Lakeside Teahouse by Domain Architects is a remarkable fusion of heritage and contemporary design. This unique architectural project breathes new life into two 1930s-era timber-framed houses, carefully preserving their historical essence while introducing a modern aesthetic that enhances the visitor experience.

A Thoughtful Renovation

Located in Shanghai, China, the teahouse was envisioned as both a cultural retreat and a rest stop for travelers. Retaining the original structures as much as possible, lead architect Xu Xiaomeng and the team at Domain Architects adopted a minimal intervention approach. Apart from restoring the timber-framed houses, the only major alteration was the addition of a striking new feature—a curved, elevated bridge corridor that seamlessly connects the two structures without overpowering their historic charm.

Inspiration from Traditional Chinese Aesthetics

The design concept draws inspiration from classical Chinese literati aesthetics and traditional hand-scroll landscape paintings. Just as these paintings reveal their beauty progressively as the scroll is unfurled, the teahouse’s design encourages a similar experience of discovery. The new corridor bridge becomes an architectural metaphor for this unfolding journey, offering ever-changing views of the surrounding landscape as visitors walk through.

Architectural Harmony: The Floating Corridor Bridge

One of the project’s defining features is the elevated corridor bridge, which begins at an open-roofed structure and extends gently toward the historic walls. Designed to be as unobtrusive as possible, this glazed passageway enhances the connection between the indoors and the natural environment. While the lakeside portion of the bridge is fully transparent, the hillside features a dynamic arrangement of steel posts and polycarbonate (PC) tubes, which provide filtered sunlight and natural ventilation. The irregular placement of these tubes disrupts the expected rhythm of the supporting structure, adding a sense of fluidity and movement.

To maximize views of the lake, the corridor features a cantilevered design, extending outward to create an uninterrupted perspective of the water. This structural approach required meticulous engineering to balance the forces and ensure stability while maintaining a delicate, almost floating appearance.

Landscape Integration: A Modern Take on a Classical Garden

The landscape surrounding the teahouse was shaped by natural forces, with a seasonal creek having eroded the ground between the two buildings. Rather than fighting against this element, the architects embraced it—transforming the area into a shallow pond that adds to the tranquil atmosphere of the site. A stone-slab bridge, bamboo groves, and existing trees further enhance the experience, evoking the poetic charm of classical Chinese gardens.

The deliberate juxtaposition of old and new materials reinforces the sense of timelessness. A steel and glass corridor serves as a bridge between different eras, allowing visitors to feel as though they are stepping between past and present. The informality of the structure—its non-linear design, varied support forms, and relaxed spatial flow—creates a casual, immersive environment where architecture and nature exist in harmony.

 A Timeless Escape

The Lakeside Teahouse is a masterful example of architectural storytelling, where past and present coexist effortlessly. By preserving the pre-modern character of the existing houses while introducing a thoughtfully designed contemporary addition, Domain Architects have created a space that is both nostalgic and forward-looking. Visitors are invited to embark on a sensory journey, experiencing architecture as an unfolding scroll of moments, reflections, and views.

All Photographs are works of Chao Zhang