Chih-Hsuan Liu

Royal College of Art

United Kingdom

Hou In Choi

Freelancer Designer

United Kingdom

Project Description

Chai Hubs Station is a multi-functional tea stall designed as an escape from Dhaka’s fast-paced urban life. It offers a communal space for people to relax, socialise, and appreciate Bangladesh’s tea culture. Integrated into the city’s dense landscape, each hub adapts to its surroundings and expands across multiple levels, incorporating greenery through elevated roof terraces and gardens. These lush spaces, filled with plants and trees, extend the outdoor areas, offering a peaceful environment with scenic views.

The station has four sections: a lively gathering space for tea and conversation, a bar-style seating area overlooking the city, a quiet relaxation space, and a prayer space for spiritual reflection and meditation. Sustainability is at the heart of the design, incorporating bamboo in both the architecture and tea cups to reinforce an eco-friendly ethos. Intricate Kantha patterns highlight local artistry and cultural heritage. More than just a tea stall, Chai Hubs Station fosters human connection in an increasingly fast-paced society. Whether for relaxation, work, reading, or social interaction, it caters to diverse needs while emphasising the value of shared spaces.

The project envisions a phased expansion, starting with a single tea hub in Mohammadpur. Over time, it will extend onto neighbouring buildings, inviting local tea vendors to establish additional hubs within 5–10 minutes’ walking distance. As the network grows, Chai Hub Stations will gradually spread across Mohammadpur and eventually throughout Dhaka, forming a sustainable, interconnected system that strengthens social bonds and preserves the city’s tea traditions.