Contemporary Tea Bar
@Tea
Situated within the historic Yue Hwa Building in the heart of Chinatown, the design for At Tea creates a striking contrast between modern fast-casual beverage retail and traditional surroundings. Founded by Taiwanese celebrity Jam Hsiao, the brand focuses on artisanal craftsmanship and tea innovation. The design language reflects an edgy, urban, yet sophisticated aesthetic - utilizing rich charcoal tones, metallic textures, and clean architectural lighting to establish a bold brand identity within a high-traffic retail environment.
Dark Charcoal Metallic Shell & Architectural Framework
Dark Textured Finishes: Deep charcoal gray panels frame the store facade and side walls, providing a moody, contemporary backdrop that commands attention in a bright retail hall.
Arch Motif Integration: A subtle recessed arch in a warmer, light-sand hue forms the interior counter backdrop, adding architectural depth and softening the harsh angles of the kiosk space.
Flowing Metal Accents: Thin sweeping silver/brass inlay curves grace the front counter face, introducing dynamic movement reminiscent of flowing liquid and tea leaves.
Strategic Branding & High-Impact Signage
Illuminated Brand Disc: A bold circular light box featuring the iconic bright orange @ logo serves as an immediate visual anchor above the main ordering point.
Digital Visual Merchandising: Large, flush-mounted digital lightboxes and overhead menu displays frame the storefront, using high-contrast product imagery to engage foot traffic effectively.
Minimalist Iconography: Line-art gold icons etched onto the side partition wall offer a understated visual narrative of the tea-making process—from leaf selector to final brew.
Integrated Storage & Merchandising Design
Open Display Shelving: Dark floating shelves with integrated warm LED strip lighting showcase signature brand tote bags, merchandise, and tea canisters, doubling function as decorative wall art.
Built-in Front Counter Niche: A dedicated recessed display shelf along the lower front counter spotlights branded tumblers and reusable bags, driving impulse retail purchases at the point of sale.
Colors: Charcoal slate gray, warm sand beige, signal orange, and brushed gold/silver accents.
Finishes: Stucco/concrete-texture wall panels, solid-surface white countertops, matte-black framing, and fabric privacy drapes.
Lighting: Recessed overhead downlights paired with concealed linear LED strips under counter lips and shelf undersides to add warmth and contrast.
Design Intent & Atmosphere
The design bridges high-energy urban branding with functional retail flow. By combining dark industrial textures with warm accent lighting and clean geometry, the interior delivers a premium, modern tea-house experience designed for efficiency, visual impact, and strong brand recall.
PROJECT GALLERY
