THE TREE
REIMAGINING THE TEA EXPERIENCE
Lost in the modern designs
- disconnected with the experience
- In different tea cultures in history, people often drank tea to connect with others. - Modern tea machines are so convenient that they disconnect users from the brewing experience.
How might we create an inclusive tea experience that embraces the simplicity of modern design?
Incorporating the sense of serving “A system that serves you, and help you serve others better.” Extracted from the Japanese culture, the system considers the serving and the served relationships in tea brewing experience. By respecting others and handling with care, it connects people together.
A ZERO-TOUCH SYSTEM “An analogue solution that further refines the simplicity of modern designs.” All users have to do is fill the teapot with water and load the brewing chamber with tea leaves. Simply putting the teapot on the piston, the system would recognize the water volume and types of tea leaves, applying the optimal settings without any buttons or complicated interfaces.
“The Tree” distributes water in random pattern, spreading “raindrops” evenly to fully rinse the tea leaves. Moreover, it immerse users in the process of tea brewing.
With adjustable handle straps, the double-walled glass teapot encourages users holding it with both hands, which takes less physical efforts and gives the sense of serving.
Water is pumped automatically to the brewing chamber. Brewed under the identified presets of time and temperature, the tea was then served back to the teapot.
Tea leaves holder and filter
LED heating indicator
IND 621: Fall 2018 Global Engagement Studio: Japan
Cast iron stand and stone-textured body
Student: Mindaw Lee Instructor: John Takamura