Tea Teach Together

Bakshi Sameen Easar Sarhan

Chittagong university of engineering and technology

Bangladesh

Samia Noushin Sajuti

Chittagong university of engineering and technology

Bangladesh

Project Description

Location: Adjacent to Mohamuni Buddha Bihar temple (near CUET), Chittagong centered around a historic banyan tree.

Context & Vision:
The project reimagines a tea stall as a vibrant community hub, blending cultural heritage with social empowerment. The site’s historic banyan tree— a traditional gathering spot for knowledge exchange—inspires a design that fosters connection, education, and inclusivity.

Design Concept:
The tea stall, managed by a local family, features an elevated platform beneath the banyan tree’s canopy, ensuring visibility from afar and flood resilience. The father prepares tea, serving temple visitors and locals, while the son conducts informal classes for children from the nearby orphanage, widow center, and community.

Key Features:

Elevated Tea Stall: A compact, open-air structure with bamboo/wooden framing, integrating seating around the tree trunk to preserve its natural presence.

Multifunctional Zones: The front serves tea, attracting visitors; the rear includes a shaded, flexible space for teaching, using foldable furniture and chalkboards.

Cultural Synergy: The design respects the temple’s aesthetic, using local materials and motifs, while the tree’s canopy provides natural cooling.

Community Integration: The stall becomes a social anchor—hosting storytelling, discussions, and skill-sharing, reviving the banyan tree’s role as a knowledge commons.

Social Impact:
The project supports the family’s livelihood, provides free education to marginalized children, and creates a welcoming space for diverse groups— bridging gaps between temple visitors, students, and residents.

Sustainability: Rainwater harvesting, solar-powered lighting, and waste management systems align with the site’s ecological sensitivity.

Conclusion:
This tea stall transcends commerce, becoming a symbol of community resilience, education, and cultural continuity. By harmonizing function, heritage, and social purpose, it revitalizes a historic site as a beacon of collective growth.