NO.51 Tea House

Introduction: From A To B.

Our design started with a simple thought experiment: how to arrive at B from A?

To physically arrive at a destination (Point B), we need to create a line or a path to connect the two points. On an architectural plan, this line represents the physical walls that separate the space on one side of the line from the other. For us, this is the fundamental process of creating space. We tried to stick to this simple concept in this project and challenged ourselves to use one line (one wall) to finish our design.

Iterations and Architectural Language: 90 Ways to Draw a Line. 

In the drawing 90 ways to draw a Line, we explored different ways to interact with the shape of the site through a single line. Each iteration expresses an intention and has the potential to become a reality. We choose No.51 as our final proposal because of its potential to form spaces with different spatial qualities without losing the totality of the original concept.

Interior, Exterior, and Landscape.

We used the shape of No.51 to create three enclosed spaces and used the changing height of the landscape to add different characters to each space.

On the left diagram of Figure 3, we can see the center space has a lower level, enhancing the feeling of enclosure. It is also where the counter and the kitchen are located.

The middle image shows how we created the openings to enhance the visual connection between the space inside the wall and the open field across Westlands street.

The last drawing in Figure 3 indicates the location of the indoor space and how the lower and higher levels are connected. The purpose of adding the two vertical connections is to avoid dead ends in the project.

Walking into the Landscape

In section AA, we used the height difference on the site to create a more enclosed space for indoor programs such as a kitchen, counter, and storage space.

The space inside is not completely enclosed. By creating a gap between the ceiling and the wall, sunlight can enter the space and create a sculpture-like shadow. This new spatial experience is designed to challenge the traditional way of drinking Tea and stimulate visitors' senses.

Drinking Tea Together: A community gathering space for Bellingham.

Two main concepts were considered from a pedestrians' perspective. First, in Figure 6, we can see the height of the teahouse is lower than the first-floor height of the neighbor building. Also, the discontinuous wall makes the tea house works as a sculpture in a public park, which invites everyone to play and interact with it. These gestures respect the surrounding environment and create a friendly and welcoming image in the neighborhood.

To enhance the publicity, all the outdoor spaces are opened for public use, and people can visit the tea house anytime, even when the main indoor space is closed. 

By creating spaces with different spatial qualities with a single line, we believe that our proposal can provide a unique experience that constructs a memory connecting the people of Bellingham and the flavor of the Tea.