Set within the energetic heart of Shanghai, the Jing’an Temple branch of YIN XI Teahouse by Vermilion Zhou Design Group introduces a contemplative retreat shaped by the depth of Chinese tea culture.
Conceived as a refuge from the city’s constant movement, the project cultivates an atmosphere where tradition, devotion, and sensory experience interlace, giving quiet presence to an age-old cultural practice.
Positioned in a district defined by sacred architecture and urban bustle, the teahouse adopts a restrained approach that prioritises immersion. Its character is anchored in three guiding elements – gold, sound and water – each expressed with subtle material and spatial gestures. Gold carries the warmth and auspiciousness associated with the nearby temple, casting a soft lustre across surfaces and recalling the way sunlight touches steeping tea. Sound introduces an intimate layer: the gentle pour of water, the faint gurgle of a brew, and the softened acoustics of enclosed rooms supporting an environment tuned toward contemplation. Water completes the triad, seen in reflective planes and controlled glimmers that merge physical space with quiet imaginings.
The teahouse revisits an institution that has shaped Chinese cultural life for centuries. Historically, such establishments were more than venues for refreshment; they were places for exchange, community, and commerce, acting as anchors during periods of social and economic prosperity. In contemporary life, they have taken on renewed relevance as alternatives to work and home – realms where communal presence meets personal restoration. YIN XI extends this lineage by situating itself as an enclave within the city, balancing functional hospitality with the sensory depth of ritual.
