Tea and symmetry: traditional Japanese architecture inspires Greek teahouse

Lee Styer
Affluent Athenian shopping district Kolonaki may have suffered its own downturn during the Greek financial crisis, but it has begun showing signs of a defiant cultural renaissance, with a number of new cafes, boutiques and creative institutions springing up on its steep streets.
One prime example, on Alexandrou Soutsou, is To Tsai, a small but perfectly formed teahouse that recently underwent an interior overhaul by architectural firm Georges Batzios. The calm, minimalist space, inspired by traditional Japanese tea ceremony architecture, features pale wooden furnishings, including a tea island, and a laminated timber framework, backlit to create shadows and lines.
'The ornament-free minimalistic details of the interior spaces, combined with the wonderful odour palette of the teas and the soft music, are creating that 'Zen' universe (where) the artsy residents and tourists can retire (while within) this noisy part of the city,' says Batzios.
The teahouse has two distinct spaces: a serene lounge, perfect for escaping the hubbub of the city and a retail space, stocking around 500 varieties of tea.
A constant source of relaxation and renewal for many of us, tea, as Batzios puts it, 'works like a remedy'.
To Tsai features pale wooden accents and soft backlighting – the perfect place to relax and unwind with a cup of tea
The Japanese-inspired location stocks around 500 flavours of tea
A tea island and a laminated timber framework complete the calming, minimalistic space
With two different areas – a lounge for escaping the craze of the city and a retail space offering tea products for purchase – there's something for everyone
To Tsai leads the way as the area begins to see an increase in cafe, boutique and creative outlet start-ups
ADDRESS
Al. Soutsou 19, Athina 106 71, Greece
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
-
From Rembrandt to Warhol, a Paris exhibition asks: what do artists wear?
‘The Art of Dressing – Dressing like an Artist’ at Musée du Louvre-Lens inspects the sartorial choices of artists
By Upasana Das
-
Meet Lisbeth Sachs, the lesser known Swiss modernist architect
Pioneering Lisbeth Sachs is the Swiss architect behind the inspiration for creative collective Annexe’s reimagining of the Swiss pavilion for the Venice Architecture Biennale 2025
By Adam Štěch
-
A stripped-back elegance defines these timeless watch designs
Watches from Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Rolex and more speak to universal design codes
By Hannah Silver