Touch Tea: A New Poetic Dialogue Between Tradition and Modernism

In today's urban landscape, the design of spaces reflects the cultural shift where the youth are increasingly drawn to fast-paced lifestyles and vibrant social environments. Touch Tea, designed by Touch Design, is a modern tea house that offers a refreshing response to this dynamic. Unlike traditional teahouses with elaborate and overly formal atmospheres, Touch Tea stands out with its unique blend of minimalism and an innovative approach to the ritual of tea drinking. It delicately balances honouring the tea tradition with embracing the vitality of modern life, creating a space that resonates with both the past and the future.

Touch Tea redefines the act of "savouring tea," creating a space where the experience becomes a dialogue between past and future, tranquillity and vibrancy. Its architectural design moves beyond form, creating a fluid interaction of purpose and aesthetics. The designers have reimagined how people engage with the space and the culture, infusing the experience of tea drinking with fresh meaning that resonates with a younger, more progressive audience.

The Touch Tea design philosophy is a poetic approach to life, emphasizing harmony over the trivialities of the city. The space is a harmonious environment with washable stones, stainless steel, and red brick, striking an elegant balance between simplicity and sophistication. It invites visitors to slow down and connect with the art of tea, reflecting a precise understanding of life's textures. It offers a sanctuary where rituals unfold naturally, enhanced by the surrounding ambiance, providing a calm and relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle of urban life.

Technology plays an understated but essential role in shaping the environment at Touch Tea. Intelligent curtains and lighting systems adapt to patrons' moods, adjusting the indoor lighting to match the shifting tone of the day. A 6-meter by 3-meter P2.0 full-color LED panel and BOSE surround sound system work together to create an immersive, sensory experience, soothing the mind and creating a serene atmosphere. These elements amplify the calming essence of the space, allowing guests to find respite from the noise of the outside world.

Touch Tea is more than just a teahouse; it's a vibrant social space that fosters simple connection and engagement. Its open, cubist-inspired layout breaks down barriers, creating a flexible space where people can meet, share, and engage in conversations. The design's contemporary yet thoughtful approach makes it an ideal setting for the evolving needs of the young generation—whether for socializing, contemplation or simply enjoying tea.

Touch Tea's identity is centred around the TOCOO Doku IP image, symbolizing youth and individuality. This emblem represents modern aesthetics and the brand's innovative spirit. The space itself is an artistic statement, blending avant-garde design with vitality and connecting art, architecture, and culture, but it also is a testament to the evolving relationship between architectural form and urban living. It brings together new materials, technologies, and design philosophies to reflect the needs of a generation that values tradition and forward-thinking innovation. Through its seamless fusion of architectural elements, Touch Tea creates a space that captures today's youth's anti-structure, anti-boredom, and anti-static mindset, offering a thoughtful escape amid the city's constant activity.

For more information, please visit: http://www.tj-touch.com

*This project is one of the shortlisted project in the Sky Design Awards 2024 - Interior Design: Restaurant & Clubs Division

issen: A Sanctuary of Tradition and Taste in the Heart of Asakusa

Located in the serene streets of Oku-Asakusa in Tokyo's Taito ward, Issen, designed by Takasu Gaku Design and Associates, is a unique destination that transcends the typical tea and dessert shop. It offers an immersive journey into Japan's deep-rooted food and cultural traditions, providing a unique cultural experience. Spread across a 25-square-meter space, Issen profoundly reflects Japanese aesthetics and craftsmanship. Situated within walking distance of the bustling Asakusa Temple, Issen offers a tranquil escape for those seeking a more intentional and unhurried experience of Japanese culture, away from the tourist crowds.

The heart of Issen's philosophy lies in its tribute to the relationship between food and culture. Each dish is a curated celebration of Japan's diverse agricultural heritage. The shop's owner undertakes a personal pilgrimage across the country, visiting the fields and workshops of Japan's rural heartlands to select only the finest tea leaves and ingredients. This meticulous curation process, infused with a personal touch, brings a level of authenticity that elevates the dining experience, where every bite and sip is imbued with the stories of the artisans and farmers behind the produce.

The food served at Issen goes beyond mere sustenance—it is an invitation to appreciate the nuanced flavors and textures that have been shaped by Japan's diverse climates and terrains. The teas, sourced from small farms, are brewed with precision, their natural flavors enhanced by the care taken in both cultivation and preparation. The desserts, too, are a delicate interplay of seasonal ingredients, with an emphasis on freshness and balance. These dishes are not only visually appealing but are meant to engage the diner's senses fully, from the subtle fragrance of the tea to the delicate sweetness of the desserts, creating an exciting culinary experience.

The design of Issen reflects the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi, where beauty is found in simplicity and imperfection. It is a masterclass in restraint and reverence for natural materials. The earthen floors provide a tactile connection to the earth, while the natural stone counters offer a sturdy, grounded surface that contrasts with the lightness of the washi-paper walls. These walls resemble traditional earth walls but are crafted with handmade washi paper, lending the space a subtle texture that invites touch and evokes the rich tactile history of Japanese craftsmanship. The shop feels like an organic extension of the land, where every material tells a story of the natural world from which it was derived.

In the spirit of the Japanese tea ceremony, Nissan encourages guests to take their time and fully enjoy the experience. The peaceful atmosphere, highlighted by a prominent, handcrafted washi light fixture, blurs the line between indoor and outdoor spaces. The fixture, featuring a cascading water pattern, surrounds the counter area and brings to mind the calmness of a flowing stream. This reference to the outdoor, no-date tea ceremony adds a modern touch to the space, where nature is always present, even within the confines of this cozy tearoom.

The design promotes a calm, almost meditative experience, where the owner's actions and service delivery contribute to the overall aesthetic. Each movement is deliberate and filled with purpose, reminiscent of the traditional Japanese tea ceremony's philosophy of ichigo ichie. This concept emphasizes the fleeting nature of each moment and the significance of cherishing the present.

In many ways, Issen is an extension of Japan's cultural landscape. It expresses a deep connection to nature, tradition, and craftsmanship. The space bridges the old and the new, seamlessly integrating contemporary design with centuries-old practices. Visitors at Issen are not simply dining; they participate in a ritual honouring Japan's profound cultural heritage. Eating and drinking tea reflects a broader, more interconnected world.

The experience at Issen is more than just culinary; it is cultural, sensory, and deeply personal. It offers an opportunity to disconnect from the frenetic pace of modern life and reconnect with the simplicity and beauty that has defined Japan for centuries. Through the careful selection of ingredients, the mindful design of the space, and the reverence for tradition, Issen stands as a testament to the enduring power of Japanese design and culinary artistry.

Designer Profile

For more information, please visit: https://gaku-design.com

*This project is one of the shortlisted project in the Sky Design Awards 2024 - Interior Design: Restaurants Division