Photovoltaic + Energy Storage: CATL Zero Carbon Teahouse / HATCH Architecture

Project Name  "Ning's Tea" Xiadang Zero Carbon Teahouse

Design Unit  HATCH Architecture

Project Address  Ningde, Fujian

Completion Year  2024

Building Area  467 square meters

 

In response to the global climate crisis, promoting China to achievethe "dual carbon" goals, after achieving success in the field of new energy batteries, CATL has shifted its focus to building a green, intelligent, and livable urban environment. With the proposal of the "zero carbon new infrastructure" concept, a new chapter rewriting the fate of humanity is quietly unfolding.

 

△ Architecture and Site Environment  Photo: Tian Fangfang

 

In November 2024, the Xiadang Zero Carbon Demonstration Base created by HATCH Architecture for CATL officially unveiled its mysterious veil in Xiadang Township, Shouning County, Ningde City, Fujian Province. This innovative work consists of the "Ning's Tea" Zero Carbon Teahouse and a smart charging station for energy storage and release, showcasing the harmonious coexistence of technology and nature, while injecting new vitality and hope into rural revitalization. The design's ingenuity is as endless as a Möbius strip, hidden in every detail, leading to infinite possibilities for the future.

 

△ Aerial view of the teahouse and photovoltaic charging station at night  Photo: Tian Fangfang

 

Path to Sustainability

 

Since ancient times, the farming and reading civilization based in rural areas has contained the wisdom of cyclical sustainability: from production methods to lifestyles, from natural cycles to the reincarnation of life, every link reflects the beautiful vision of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. In Xiadang Township, CATL embraces the future by cleverly combining the zero carbon teahouse with the enduring cultural heritage that has flowed for thousands of years, showcasing the path of sustainable development in the new era. The design team has materialized abstract concepts with a futuristic architectural style and forward-looking design philosophy, vividly presenting them to the world.

 

△ Villagers and the teahouse  Photo: Tian Fangfang

△ View of the teahouse from the old building  Photo: Tian Fangfang

 

The design inspiration for the zero carbon teahouse comes from the Möbius strip, which symbolizes the philosophy of cyclical repetition. Unlike passive energy-saving technologies, this project actively empowers the building by introducing advanced new energy and smart network technologies.

 

△ Bamboo forest, teahouse, and village  Photo: Tian Fangfang

 

The entire building usesBIPV (Building-Integrated Photovoltaics) materials and technologies, achieving full-cycle green electricity supply within a limited space. The photovoltaic panels installed on the roof fit the roof's curves with precision, making the entire building visually more harmonious. The building's exterior extensively uses ultra-white glass and UHPC (Ultra-High-Performance Concrete), ensuring transparent views and ample natural light while effectively reducing energy consumption.

 

△ Viewing function of the photovoltaic roof  Photo: Tian Fangfang

 

At the same time, the smart charging station for energy storage and release located at the foot of the mountain not only provides basic charging services but also has bidirectional interaction capabilities between vehicles and the grid, maximizing the utilization of electrical resources. It is estimated that the annual electricity generation of the teahouse is about55,000 kWh, reducing approximately 54.8 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to planting 3,000 trees. This place is not only a tranquil resting spot but also a wonderful fusion of modern technology and natural aesthetics.

 

△ Overlooking the teahouse and mountain village  Photo: Tian Fangfang

 

Harmonious Unity in Opposition

 

The Möbius strip not only signifies endless cycles but also reveals the universal connections in the world and the possibility of unity and mutual transformation between opposites. In Xiadang Township, this marvelous geometric form cleverly connects two seemingly distinct entities.

 

△ View of the teahouse from the village  Photo: Tian Fangfang

△ Overall aerial view of the teahouse  Photo: Tian Fangfang

 

Unlike conventional rural construction methods, the zero carbon teahouse built by the design team resembles a"thing from beyond the sky," creating a stark contrast in materials, colors, textures, and forms with the surrounding villages. However, as people slowly enter the building along the winding mountain path and ascend the spiral walking route to the roof, they will experience a stunning beauty of harmony.

 

△ Exterior of the first floor  Photo: Tian Fangfang

△ Path to the roof  Photo: Tian Fangfang

 

The teahouse is divided into two levels, featuring a tea drinking area, a tea art exchange area, and a viewing and leisure area, each offering excellent views. The design team creates an elegant and comfortable atmosphere using a simple design language, dynamic spatial layout, and carefully arranged lighting and soft furnishings.

 

△ Facade of the zero carbon compartment  Photo: Tian Fangfang

 

Elegant curves run throughout the space, merging architecture with interior design, ensuring the unity of the overall design.

 

△ Spiral staircase  Photo: Tian Fangfang

 

Although the zero carbon teahouse forms a sharp contrast with the surrounding environment in design language and architectural form, it genuinely integrates into the daily lives of local villagers while captivating visiting tourists. Through the panoramic floor-to-ceiling glass, villagers and tourists appreciate each other, becoming part of the scenery.

 

△ Ultra-white glass frame on the second-floor viewing level  Photo: Tian Fangfang

 

The zero-carbon dining space under the photovoltaic roof is like a hidden paradise.The kitchen uses green electricity for cooking, which not only reduces electricity costs by 25% compared to traditional liquefied gas, but also shortens heating time by 50%, greatly improving energy efficiency. Surrounded by mountains, enjoying a zero-carbon hot pot feels like experiencing the gifts of nature and the beauty of harmonious coexistence.

 

△ Zero-carbon private room and the surrounding mountains  Photo: Tian Fangfang

△ Facade of the zero carbon compartment  Photo: Tian Fangfang

 

Conclusion

 

Since the opening of the zero-carbon teahouse,"Going to Xiadang Township for black tea" has sparked a new trend of zero-carbon living online, making Xiadang Township a newly popular check-in spot.

 

The founder of the firm, Wei Hongtao, stated:"The zero-carbon teahouse is not an ordinary internet celebrity building; it acts as a clever connector, linking the surrounding villages, distant mountains, sustainable energy technology, visitor experiences, and the lives of villagers together, painting a beautiful picture of sustainable mountain living."

 

It can be said that this project is a powerful practice of the new era of sustainable development. This green energy is likethe spark of "zero-carbon new infrastructure," starting from the Xiadang zero-carbon demonstration base and gradually spreading to diverse scenarios such as "zero-carbon tea garden," "zero-carbon tea factory," and "zero-carbon agriculture." These zero-carbon projects are like trickling streams, converging into the grand rivers of "zero-carbon island," "zero-carbon city," and "zero-carbon village," ultimately merging into the magnificent vision of a "zero-carbon earth," together composing a future hymn of sustainable ecology.

 

△ Teahouse and village  Photo: Tian Fangfang

 

 

Design drawings ▽

 

△ First floor plan  ©HATCH Hanqi Architecture△ Second floor plan  ©HATCH Hanqi Architecture△ Roof plan  ©HATCH Hanqi Architecture

△ Section drawing  ©HATCH Hanqi Architecture

△ Wall structure detail drawing  ©HATCH Hanqi Architecture

 

 

Complete project informationProject name: "Ning's Tea" Xiadang Zero-Carbon Teahouse Design Unit:HATCH Hanqi Architecture Owner: Ningde Times Project Address: Xiadang Township, Ningde City, Fujian Province Building area: 467 square meters Completion year: 2024 Chief architect: Wei Hongtao  Project architect: Zhao Danjing Architectural and interior design team: Gan Ji, Lu Huiqin, Wang Qian, Wu Jiechen, Zhang Yuchao, Song Zhizhen, Yang Ying, Duan Jingjing, Huang Pinyang (Intern) Structural and MEP design team: Wang Haiping, Chen Hao, Tang Wei, Li Yanzhi Curtain wall designer: Su Li Lighting designer: Ni Jianmin Main materials: UHPC, glass curtain wall, photovoltaic glass Photovoltaic glass supplier: Longyan Energy Technology (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd. UHPC supplier: Wuhu Dingfu Landscape Materials Co., Ltd. Construction team: Fujian Guanyunxin Construction Engineering Co., Ltd. Photography: Tian Fangfang Written by: Linda Jiang

 

 

 

Visual / Fang Zenan  Proofreading / Li Bochao

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