Celebrating Tea: Bangladesh Tea Research Institute & Museum Complex | Architecture Thesis

Site Context

The existing institute is situated nearly 3.8 km from Sreemangal and 66.25 km from Sylhet town in Bangladesh. From the outside, one can observe that the site is 194 feet high at its highest point and 119 feet low. There is currently only one entry accessible for users.

Final Outcome

By updating the current facilities and adding new components, the entire facility will be redesigned to promote better functionality and symbolise the idea of tea celebration while allowing users to stay true to the spirit of tourism and the research process. A plaza, a tea museum, an amphitheatre, a greenhouse, Tong modules, accessible tea cultivation zones, and the refurbished research institution will all be part of the new complex.

The three primary zones for tea cultivation will be divided based on their capacity to produce different kinds of tea. There will be two sub-zones in each zone.

Museum: The abandoned factory continues to hold all the equipment needed to produce tea. In order to educate people about the production of tea, it will be a great opportunity to convert this factory into a Tea Museum. Furthermore, an additional space will be allocated for a gallery and souvenir shop that highlights the history of tea in Bangladesh as well as its origins.

Research facility: Semi-outdoor spaces will be required by the researchers for the simulation procedure. As a result, the windows have grooves that produce shaded areas that serve as simulation spaces. To ensure adequate cross ventilation, the facility will be arranged in a zigzag pattern in accordance with the United Nations regulations.

Amphitheatre: Bangladesh’s tea community has its customs and culture. To promote the tea workers’ festivals and cultural events among the general public, an amphitheatre has been built in the landscaping zone. The audience can enjoy the most picturesque view of the site between the two hills from the performance stage, which floats atop the existing waterbody.

The amphitheatre respects the site’s undulations. A few souvenir shops are situated right beneath the public gathering space, where visitors can buy different kinds of tea that are made there. Additionally, it facilitates and enhances interaction between the tourists and the tea workers.

Tong: Throughout the six cultivation zones, 12 tong-like modules will be built where researchers will carry out various experiments, tea labourers will measure tea leaves, and users can pause, have a cup of tea, and independently experience the research and production process.

Greenhouse: Compared to other types of water, distilled water has the best effect on the tea extraction process, resulting in the least amount of waste from tea leaves. The distillery is situated close to the site’s second-largest body of water and can use the heat from the greenhouse to produce distilled water without the need for additional gas or water.

Conclusion: Through the interconnectivity of the facility’s spaces, the architecture thesis aims to encourage interaction among researchers, tea workers, and the general public. The project also welcomes tourists to explore the tea gardens and promotes the country’s traditional tea stall culture while acknowledging the value of knowledge, culture, and heritage in the tea production industry.

[This Academic Project has been published with text submitted by the student]