Keiji Ashizawa turns Shanghai's Rockbund heritage into a tea shop

Architect Keiji Ashizawa has completed a 108-square-metre flagship tea shop and cafe for the Chinese tea brand Basao in Shanghai's Rockbund area, taking design cues from the district's historic buildings and from their restoration by David Chipperfield Architects.

The store combines a retail space with a cafe section where visitors can drink the tea on site. Ashizawa, founder of Keiji Ashizawa Design (KAD), aimed to design an "open and inviting retail space" with a natural connection to the street.

"When designing an interior, we place great importance on understanding the building's location, history, and relationship with its surroundings," Ashizawa told Dezeen. "The restoration and regeneration work led by David Chipperfield Architects has also played an important role in shaping the district's character."

How does the design echo Rockbund?

The studio used metal structure and details to reinterpret some of the area's traditional architecture in a contemporary way.

"Drawing inspiration from the arches and repeated architectural details of Rockbund's historic buildings, we introduced a series of vaulted steel ceiling elements," Ashizawa said. "Together with the delicate steel shelving, they bring a sense of lightness and openness, while subtly connecting the retail and seating areas, each with its own distinct atmosphere."

KAD also added a brick floor in the shop area, juxtaposed with the wooden floor in the cafe — a reference to the neighborhood's fabric.

"We chose brick for the flooring, a material commonly found in Rockbund's historic architecture, particularly on building facades and occasionally on floors," Ashizawa said. "The regular pattern of the brickwork creates a sense of rhythm and order, allowing the material to feel at home in a contemporary setting."

What connects the shop to the brand's origins?

The answer runs through Xiamen, Fujian, where Basao originated. KAD used a "plaster-like finish" inspired by rammed earth — compacted layered soil construction — for the shop area.

"Rather than drawing directly from the traditional tea room, we explored the use of earth, a material deeply connected to tea culture, as a defining element of the interior," Ashizawa explained. "The retail area is bright and open, with earthen walls inspired by the traditional rammed-earth architecture of Fujian Province."

The contrast is deliberate. "In contrast, the seating area features darker tones reminiscent of smoked timber, creating a more intimate atmosphere, much like the living room of a friend's home," he continued.

The palette stays restrained: natural wood and brick tones, subtle light and shadow, plus bronze-colored metal finishes.

"Rather than relying on strong colours to define the space, we focused on the natural tones of wood and brick, along with the subtle interplay of light and shadow," Ashizawa said. "Bronze-colored metal finishes were also introduced as a reference to the historical use of copper in traditional Chinese tea utensils, creating a subtle connection to Chinese tea culture."

Walls of the tea room carry traditional Chinese lacquer Da Qi Hua pieces. "The artistic concepts reflect Basao's brand identity, while their colours were carefully selected to harmonise with the overall atmosphere of the space," Ashizawa said.

The studio hopes the result offers a pause in a busy city. "In a vibrant city like Shanghai, we see value in creating a space that remains connected to its surroundings while offering a sense of calm," Ashizawa said. "One of the most rewarding parts of this project was the opportunity to create such an experience through the culture of tea."

Project credits

• Architect: Keiji Ashizawa Design
• Project architect: Keiji Ashizawa / Biting Zhu
• Construction: Cheng Jiang Building Decoration Engineering Co, Ltd Shanghai
• Tile: Yinji Tile Design
• Furniture: Karimoku Case
• Lighting plan: Aurora Inc / Yoshiki

KAD has previously designed a Nagoya coffee shop clad in locally produced tiles and a restaurant drawing on the "whiteness of tofu" — and the Shanghai project suggests the studio is becoming a go-to for hospitality brands wanting material stories rooted in place.