Blue Lake-Lakeside Teahouse: YI+MU’s Fusion of Tradition and Modernity
Discover the transformation of the Blue Lake-Lakeside Teahouse, a masterpiece crafted by YI+MU and ranked as one of the best teahouses on social media.
Situated in Beijing’s lush Lidu Garden, this serene sanctuary embodies a harmonious blend of the old and the new. Infused with simplicity and natural elegance, visitors are invited to indulge in a tea experience framed by Beijing’s natural beauty.
About Blue Lake-Lakeside Teahouse
Unveiling the Teahouse: A New Chapter
Between 2021 and 2023, YI+MU transformed the Blue Lake-Lakeside Teahouse. Today, it’s a social media hit. Merging old with new, YI+MU aimed for simplicity. The result? A place where time and memories blend seamlessly.
A Building’s Fresh Start
When YI+MU first got the building, it showed its age. The floors were uneven, and copper tubes were everywhere. It felt dark and unwelcoming. But this building, designed by Italian Luca Nichetto in 2013, was ready for a change. A decade had passed, and it needed a fresh touch to make it shine again.
Nature and Building: A Perfect Pair
To find the teahouse, you need to walk through Lidu Garden. After traveling 260 meters (853 feet) west and then south, a serene green lake guides your path. Surrounded by lush plants, the teahouse seems to welcome every visitor. The entrances were cleverly swapped. Now, the main door is on the north, while the south one is for staff. This small change creates a calming journey, leading you gently to the heart of the teahouse.
To address the sunken feeling of the old design, YI+MU raised the surrounding land. Now, it’s even with the building. A two-meter (6.6 feet) platform with seats and windows offers a resting spot. This space feels like a peaceful rock garden, where the teahouse and the nearby lake seem to chat.
Bright Spaces and Happy Faces
The teahouse feels alive, much like nature itself. To let more light in, they opened the roof and added a new staircase. The original stairs were turned into private areas, both upstairs and downstairs. These areas now play with light and shadows, creating a cozy atmosphere. Five big windows let the outside in, connecting the building, people, and nature in a special way.
Tea, Tradition, and Tomorrow
Teahouses have been around for thousands of years. Each one tells a different story, but they all value relaxation and freedom. That’s why YI+MU chose a clean and warm design. Soft colors and wood create a comfy feel. Inside, a wooden staircase invites you to explore. Upstairs, there’s a space for exhibitions and more seating areas.
On the terrace, there’s a glass tea room. Here, under the trees of Lidu Garden, you can see the seasons change. It’s a popular spot, especially among young visitors. And it’s clear: the love for tradition is still very much alive.
From the Blue Lake Restaurant to the Blue Lake House and now the teahouse, YI+MU has been busy over the past decade. They’ve faced challenges, but they’ve also celebrated many successes. These projects aren’t just the end of one chapter, but the start of another. In YI+MU’s eyes, enjoying tea isn’t complicated. It’s about understanding its simple beauty, letting that inspire designs that everyone can love.
Photography courtesy of Le Brand Strategy
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- by Matt Watts
