Private Residences in Beijing, China

These are two daytime city retreats for a client who is an avid tea connoisseur. The art of tea is celebrated in these urban clubhouses specially designed to provide sanctuaries of calm, with a curated collection of tea ware and ceramics. The Courtyard House is set within a private enclave of courtyard buildings in a traditional Hutong area in Beijing, while the Armani Apartment is located in an ultra-modern high-end condominium. Each clubhouse provides distinct spatial experiences and unique settings for the ritual of tea-drinking.

In the Courtyard House, special attention was paid to the heritage nature of the building, and lighting was introduced in a sensitive, contemporary way to accentuate traditional architectural elements. Bespoke antique look bronze spotlights on a fine track were carefully introduced to light elegant furniture pieces as well as several art pieces that celebrate traditional Chinese artistry.

In 2021, the Courtyard House won the prestigious the Singapore Institute of Architect’s Merit Award for the Interior Architecture - Residential Category.

In the Armani Apartment, a minimalist lighting approach creates a warm and subdued atmosphere in the tearoom.