No breaking, no standing, just go with the flow.
Commissioned by a friend, we designed a tea study room dedicated to socializing, drinking tea, and reading. This space was later named the “Zhishe Tea Study Room.” Due to limited indoor space and functional needs, we decided to maximize the use of an external balcony, expanding the interior outward.
Sitting on the ground in the crevice © Su Shengliang
△ Project location © Ben Zhe Architecture
The balcony is located at the rear of Building 5, on the northeast side. It receives only about two hours of morning sunlight, as surrounding buildings block the rest of the day, resulting in a harsh external environment nestled in the building’s crevice. My friend’s goal was to transform this space into a unique sunroom that also provides privacy.
To address these challenges, we adopted a design principle of “no breaking, no establishing” — working within constraints while taking advantage of the existing conditions.
△ Buildings in the Gap © Su Shengliang
The relationship between the balcony structure and the main building © Su Shengliang
△ Suspended in the gap © Su Shengliang
Our design begins with the functional layout, unfolding the space along the trapezoidal balcony. A landscape platform is placed on the north side, connecting indoor and outdoor areas. On the southwest side, there’s a leisure tea area, while the triangular southeast corner is designed as a courtyard space.
△ Designer’s manuscript layout plan © Ben Zhe Architecture
Buildings in the early morning of winter © Su Shengliang
The building form is a folded polygonal structure made of carbonized wood. Its sharp corners cleverly address many of the external challenges. This polygonal body wraps around a glass box, creating a solid exterior and a transparent interior. This design offers shelter and privacy for those inside.
△ Buildings viewed from the main direction © Su Shengliang
View of the indoor space from the balcony © Su Shengliang
On the polygonal structure, circular openings on the top and arched windows on the east side help avoid direct sunlight while allowing light to enter from various angles. This creates a layered lighting effect inside. The courtyard between the polygonal structure and the glass box features a century-old tree, offering both close and distant views that connect the interior and exterior.
△ Designer Manuscript Figure 1 © Ben Zhe Architecture
△ Suspended above the balcony © Su Shengliang
Partial section of the balcony’s dry landscape © Su Shengliang
A warm winter beam of light © Su Shengliang
△ Entrance to the main body of Zhishe Tea Study © Su Shengliang
△ Analysis chart © Ben Zhe Architecture
The exterior texture of the building combines black carbonized wood with ultra-white glass, while the interior features brown carbonized wood flooring. The design is simple and cohesive, blending tangible and intangible elements.
The entire structure is elevated on a trapezoidal balcony, providing waterproofing and moisture resistance. This also allows for future lifting and reuse, promoting sustainability.
△ Summer architecture enclosed in natural landscapes © Su Shengliang
△ Architectural texture under sunlight © Su Shengliang
On a summer morning, a beam of sunlight gently enters this building crevice, as if nature is breathing new life into the space. During breaks from filming, architects Jiang Huajian and Su Shengliang sat on the ground here, engaging in meaningful conversations. Despite being tucked away in the cracks, they felt calm and happy, undisturbed by the outside world.
△ Seamless connection between indoor and outdoor © Su Shengliang
The interplay of light and shadow © Su Shengliang
A century-old tree © Su Shengliang
△ Designer Manuscript Figure 2 © Ben Zhe Architecture
This harmony between architecture, people, and nature reflects the ultimate goal of Benzhe Architecture’s design philosophy.
Overall view of Xia architecture © Su Shengliang
△ Elevation drawing © Ben Zhe Architecture
Project Information
Project Name: Architecture in the Gap (Zhishe Tea Study)
Location: No. 18 Jinhai Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, China
Architectural Design: Benzhe Architecture
Lead Architect: Jiang Huajian
Design Team: Yao Ruigen, Lin Tong, Zhao Guijun
Building Area: 19.5 m²
Design Date: August 2021
Completion Date: September 2022
Photography by Su Shengliang
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