Architecture Asia - ARCASIA Awards for Architecture 2018

B 1
Public Amenity Buildings
Commercial
Mention
Architect
Jeravej
Hongsakul
Location
Chiangrai,
Thailand
Year
2015
Choui Fong Tea Cafe
Choui Fong Tea Café is located in the area of a tea
plantation that covers several huge hills. Instead of
locating the tea café on the hilltop as the owner originally
intended, the architects decided to lay the building out of
the way in order to have unobstructed views, by hiding
them just under the hill, with the rooftop still able to take
in the views of the plantation. Hilltop views on the roof
provide for a 360-degree viewpoint. Here, in addition
to the natural atmosphere of the plantation, visitors
can observe farming activity and tea leaves harvesting
throughout the day.
The main building is composed of three buildings; they
are floated and reach out to different viewpoints. The
functional areas include a dining zone, café, teashop,
and a restroom. The structure appears floating as when
seen from the foothill, as only one pile appears to bear
the entire building. The retaining wall at the back is set
into a distance of the building to create an extra space
for the green courtyard in order to provide shade and
shadow in this area.
There is another separated building of restrooms for
visitors at the parking lot; this is to alleviate visitor circulation
during high season. Same as the main building,
this restroom building is also hidden under the hill and
is also composed with stone and incorporates a green
courtyard for shade.
SITE PLAN
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ARCHITECTURE ASIA ISSUE 3 2018