nana’s green tea XINTIANDI
Shanghai, China / 2011

“A pin pression-like space”

Nanaha Corporation is a company that introduces “a new form of Japan” to the world through “matcha” (powdered green tea).  They arrange high grade matchas in modern style and provide them as a menu such as matcha latte.  And their intention is to make the space into a “contemporary style tea room”, not a “Japanese style tea room”.  This is a reflection of the owner’s idea of wanting to make shops where people can enjoy the traditional Japanese tea culture through a modern concept.

“Pin pression” is a toy which the pins pop out in whatever shape they are pushed (see the picture below). Since China is still in the process of an exponential growth, I felt that the people are not yet sure if they want a private space or an open space in cafes.  Therefore, this time, I adapted the mechanism of “pin pression” to create a space that can be changed freely with partitions.  The wooden pipes hanged from the ceiling differ in length (short types to design the ceiling, middle length types to separate the mood and long types that reach to the floor to physically divide the space). These pipes are designed to be set at places you wish, so you are able to make a private space in the shop according to the trend of the times.

I wanted to suggest a space where we are able to correspond with the time by leaving some variable elements.

Photos by Keisuke Miyamoto

< PRESS >
Hanjoten Zukuri no Professional (Professionals of designing successful shops) Oct. 2013 Issue

< AWARDS >
2012 – The 46th SDA Award – PRIZE WINNER
2012 – DSA Design Award 2012 – PRIZE WINNER
2012 – JCD Design Award 2012 – Best 100