Chai Junction 

Swarna Banik Papiya 

Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology 

Bangladesh

Anindita Das 

Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology 

Bangladesh

Sirajum Munira

Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology 

Bangladesh

Project Description

"Chai Junction - Where Tracks of History Meet Cups of Conversation" 

The railways of 18th-19th century South Asia played a crucial role in shaping trade, mobility, and tea culture. Inspired by this legacy, this tea stall concept repurposes railway sleepers to create a modular, foldable seating and storage system. It revives the historic role of train station tea stalls as social hubs. 

As train stations emerged across India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, small tea stalls became central gathering spaces, serving travelers, workers, and merchants. These stalls were once fixed, offering a space for interaction. However, with changing times, tea vendors now carry insulated containers, moving from station to station, limiting the communal experience. 

This innovative design addresses that shift by using old railway sleepers to create a foldable table with two stools, seating four people. It fosters community interaction while providing mobility for tea vendors. When not in use, the structure folds into a compact box, ensuring easy transport and storage. The use of reclaimed railway sleepers makes the design cost-effective and sustainable, utilizing materials readily available at stations. 

Beyond functionality, this design carries the spirit of travel, storytelling, and resilience just as railway sleepers once supported journeys, they now support conversations and connections. By reintroducing a dedicated space for shared moments over tea, this movable tea stall restores the station as a meeting point, where stories and people continue to journey together.