Zhuyeqing Greentea Flagship Store in Chengdu by X+LIVING

X+LIVING designed the Zhuyeqing Greentea Flagship with a mind to diversify away from a traditional store based on products and services to one that offers unique elements and visual interaction. Set in Chengdu, China where the tea is produced, the design explores the ecology of green tea and creates opportunities for consumer experience.

According to the designers, the optimal way to drink tea is within a favourable environment and in a good mood. A ‘cloud and mountain’ motif defines the store, reflecting the landscape and tea-growing environment of Chengdu and inspired by traditional Chinese ink-on-paper landscape art. Counters throughout feature mountain-like vertical extensions. On the flip side, the designers use mirror imaging principles to transform the ‘mountains’ into ‘clouds’. Curving timber panels arc around and connect the counters, as if shrouded in mist. The arcs provide functional places to display goods and add layered perspective to the composition of space.

The mountain-cloud counters vary in height and scale, and are positioned to form an exploratory path for customers through the store. X-LIVING explain, “Walking in the space, as if travelling through the clouds, consumers can not only appreciate the leisurely nature of the fairyland, but also enjoy sitting in the calm and peaceful mountain forest with particular interest.”

Certain counters serve to store tea, open on one side with built-in shelves. Others house tea-making amenities such as a kettle, while another is completely hollow and serves as a seating area to sip tea. Besides timber, stainless steel is used predominantly throughout the interior, cladding the walls and ceiling. The designers feel that the texture and colour of the metal resemble ink on paper, rounding out their artistic inspiration. The store’s stylized and experiential mode of tea consumption breaks the traditional mould, providing immersive design and a sensory experience for customers.