Guancha Ting is situated on Qingguo Lane, an ancient street within the historic district of Changzhou. Nestled by the river, it gained renown as the hometown of many notable officials. Changzhou City has undertaken a comprehensive preservation and restoration effort on Qingguo Lane, successfully restoring it to its former glory.
Main entrance street view
The project features a traditional layout of three houses and two courtyards, embodying the classic Jiangnan style of living. The scale is comfortable and the levels are staggered, creating an inviting atmosphere. Notably, the weathered texture of the old walls has been carefully preserved, which is truly commendable.
Night view of the main entrance
Two entrances and exits
Awakening the Past
We believe that the new space can genuinely revive the past, allowing the old and new to coexist and complement each other in harmony. The guiding principle is minimal intervention for maximum impact. As such, only two new structures were introduced:
- A steel plate box at the north entrance, designed to contrast old and new;
- Wooden boxes within the connected tea room, featuring two or three entrances to blend traditional and modern elements.
Newly installed steel plate box
Newly placed wooden box
Specifically, the rough old walls are contrasted with smooth industrial steel plates, while the worn wooden frames are complemented by clean, comfortable oak flooring. This interplay gives life to the old through the new, warmth to the new through the old, creating a harmonious yet distinct atmosphere.
The white material echoes the mottled old wall
Warm oak flooring complements the aged wooden frame
Embracing the Present
Different design strategies were applied to various spaces. Due to the low ceiling height and limited natural light, materials such as textured coatings, terrazzo, and frosted glass were used to create a bright, unified white atmosphere that enhances both light and spatial perception.
Two-entry restaurant
Two-entry restaurant
The white tone addresses issues of low ceilings and dim lighting
Restroom area
The three-entrance space is open and the corridor tea room creates a “room within a room” effect, highlighting the structural and spatial beauty of the old house through scale contrasts. On the second floor of the second entrance, the original wooden structure with lifting beams remains the focal point, enhanced by a collection curated by the manager, showcasing the house’s historic charm.
Three-entry leisure area
Three-entry leisure area
Leisure area furnishings
Three-entry tea room
“Room within a room” concept
Second Floor Exhibition Hall
Opening to the Future
The tea court is not merely a leisure spot; it embodies an aesthetic space where tea and food come together. Its spiritual essence, reflected in its English name “Aware Tea,” symbolizes awareness and awakening. It represents a space where individuals connect with their inner selves, allowing them to stay present, savor tea, enjoy food, appreciate their surroundings, and harmonize with everything around them.
We understand deeply that creating a place is akin to building a stage — its vitality comes from the people, events, and experiences that unfold there.
View of the roof and city from the salon area
The tea table where the host welcomes guests
As Mr. Zhu Guangya, the chief architect of Qingguo Lane, stated during the opening ceremony: “We are passionate about discussing memories because they are fading. We speak of memory because so little remains. In this project, we explore the possibility that people can cherish the past without clinging to it blindly. Our goal is to breathe new life into the old, truly live in the present, and thereby endure and continue into the future.”
Preserving the old house as it should be
Floor plan
Sectional view
Project Information:
Architect: Nanjing Yueshi Space Design
Address: No. 57 Qingguo Lane, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China
Category: Store
Lead Architects: Chang Chen, Wu Yuanyuan
Building Area: 180.0 square meters
Project Year: 2019
Photographer: Min Xiaofang
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