Anji is a city in Zhejiang province renowned for its bamboo. For some years now, China has been supporting high-quality ecological local economic development.
London-based firm Hatch Architects has created a teahouse and two pavilions using traditional regional materials. Formerly a storage room, this refined new hospitality space is crafted from bamboo and wood, blending seamlessly into the natural surroundings. The interior has been transformed into an earth-toned "cave," featuring a counter and staircase with a soft, smooth texture. However, one of the highlights is the panoramic windows overlooking the tea garden. In fine weather, these can be fully opened, allowing guests to enjoy the view, sometimes with a gentle breeze. To complete the project, the firm designed two observation platforms atop the mountain, also inspired by a local product: white tea. The roof of the first pavilion resembles a leaf, gently sloping down into the tea field. The structure of the second evokes a floating cloud, offering shelter to both tea growers and visitors. Through these attempts, Hatch Architects hopes to awaken tourists' curiosity for the centuries-old traditional art of bamboo.
