Anji is a town in Zhejiang province renowned for its bamboo. For some years now, China has been supporting local economic development of high ecological quality.
London-based Hatch Architects created a tea house and two pavilions using traditional local materials. Formerly a storage room, this refined new hospitality venue was designed in bamboo and wood, which blend harmoniously into the natural environment. The interior has been transformed into an earth-toned "grotto", with countertops and stairs featuring a soft, smooth texture. But one of the highlights is the panoramic picture windows overlooking the tea garden. In fine weather, these can be fully opened, allowing customers to enjoy the view, sometimes with a gentle breeze. To complete the project, the architectural firm designed two mountain-top observation platforms that are also inspired by a local product, white tea. The roof of the first pavilion resembles a leaf, falling gently into the tea field. And the structure of the second looks like a floating cloud, offering shelter to growers and visitors alike. Through these attempts, Hatch Architects hopes to awaken tourists' curiosity in the age-old traditional art of bamboo.
