Ah Ma Store

Ah Ma Store

Ah Ma Store is an innovative interior design project that reimagines the traditional Asian tea house concept through a lens of nostalgia and familial warmth, completed in Nanning, China in 2021. This Bronze A' Design Award-winning retail space, spanning 134 square meters, masterfully integrates contemporary design elements with cultural storytelling to create an immersive dining experience. The interior architecture, conceived by designer Denver Hsu with team members Xiao Wei Zhou and Lu Zhang, is thoughtfully divided into five distinct zones: dining space, kitchen, electric room, open kitchen, and hallway. The design philosophy draws profound inspiration from the archetypal grandmother's kitchen, incorporating elements such as warm yellow chandeliers, retro bronze fixtures, and carefully curated materials that evoke memories of home cooking and family gatherings. The space's aesthetic is characterized by its sophisticated use of natural materials, particularly evident in the long log table positioned in front of the open kitchen, which serves as a central gathering point. Notable design features include the strategic implementation of lighting that highlights raw materials and creates intimate atmospheres, traditional curtain elements that act as subtle space dividers, and custom storage solutions that pay homage to traditional kitchen utilities. The project exemplifies excellence in retail interior design through its thoughtful integration of functional requirements with emotional resonance, earning recognition in the A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award category for its innovative approach to commercial space design.

interior design, Asian tea house, retail space, contemporary dining, cultural architecture, commercial design

— Adam Dawson

CITATION : "Adam Dawson. 'Ah Ma Store.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=449815 (Accessed on March 14, 2025)"