The Dalinggen Village Tea House, designed by Studio RE+N and honored with an Architizer A+ Award Special Mention in the Unbuilt Commercial category, is set to complete construction around June 2025. This 200-square-meter cultural and community hub is nestled in the Organic Tea Valley Park of Songyang County, Zhejiang Province. The project creatively repurposes a former signal tower and mechanical room into a lively center for cultural engagement, while preserving the tower’s functionality and celebrating the area’s longstanding tea heritage.
Arriving from the southwest, visitors are welcomed into a reception area reached by a winding, ascending path that mirrors the strolls of traditional Chinese gardens. The Tea House experience unfolds through two unique journeys: an outdoor ramp provides sweeping valley views as it weaves through tea terraces to a rooftop vantage point, while an interior path descends from the main entrance, incorporating multifunctional stairs with bookshelves and seating for tea tastings and cultural events. A tea bar complements the immersive experience with a curated selection of local teas and tea-inspired delicacies.
Architecturally, the Tea House harmonizes with the surrounding terraced landscape. Its facade, crafted from local washed stone and concrete, offers a modern reinterpretation of traditional tea house aesthetics. The original 30-meter-tall signal tower, encased in diffuse metal panels, blends seamlessly with the landscape. Studio RE+N has cleverly concealed HVAC and mechanical systems within the roof, with skylights and curved ceilings casting soft, natural light, encouraging moments of calm and reflection.
This award-winning project by Studio RE+N exemplifies environmental stewardship through adaptive reuse, minimizing its ecological footprint by conserving the existing structure. As a dynamic social venue, the Tea House will host exhibitions, performances, workshops, and community gatherings, enhancing appreciation for local tea culture. Through its thoughtful design and multifaceted program, Studio RE+N skillfully combines tradition with contemporary design, fostering a profound connection to both nature and community.
