Osmanthus Fragrance Cottage: A Modern Take on Traditional Tea Culture

Shenzhen Horizon Space Design Co.,Ltd's Innovative Exploration Hall

The inspiration for the Osmanthus Fragrance Cottage came from the designer's personal journey of understanding and appreciating the tea ceremony. As a child, they saw the ceremony as mere formality, but as they grew older, they began to see it as a process of self-cultivation and enlightenment. The story of Smelling Osmanthus Fragrance in the Suzhou Garden further influenced the designer's perspective, leading to the creation of this unique exploration hall.

The Osmanthus Fragrance Cottage is not just a space, but a reflection of the philosophical connotations of the tea ceremony. It uses tea as a carrier to seek enlightenment, mirroring the Zen story of Smelling Osmanthus Fragrance. The design of the exploration hall is a testament to this, with its interconnected spaces that allow for free movement, interaction, and introspection. It is a 3D hanging courtyard that encourages a calm state of relaxation and meditation, the ideal state for tea affairs.

The design process for the Osmanthus Fragrance Cottage was a challenge due to the limited space. However, the designer drew inspiration from a childhood paper folding game and creatively transformed the space into a holistic one. The designer also used slender grids to replace the surface texture of paper, creating a visual effect that combines classical calmness with modern vitality.

The Osmanthus Fragrance Cottage is a testament to the designer's ability to simplify the complicated. The project took less than two months from design to opening, a feat achieved by focusing on the essence of the design rather than its complexity. This approach mirrors the original intention of the tea ceremony: to eliminate fidgetiness before tasting fragrance.

The Osmanthus Fragrance Cottage was awarded Silver in the A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2021. This prestigious award is given to designs that demonstrate outstanding expertise and innovation, and the Osmanthus Fragrance Cottage certainly fits the bill. Its unique combination of traditional tea culture and modern design techniques has created a space that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also culturally significant.