Heytea Lab Shenzhen OCT Harbor Store

Heytea Lab Shenzhen OCT Harbor Store

Heytea Lab Shenzhen OCT Harbor Store is an innovative flagship retail establishment and experiential space that exemplifies the convergence of contemporary tea culture with cutting-edge design principles. Conceived by renowned designer Uno Chan and completed in September 2019, this 1,300-square-meter architectural masterpiece represents a significant advancement in commercial interior design, earning recognition with a Golden A' Design Award in the Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design category. The space is thoughtfully segmented into five distinct laboratory environments: peripheral, ice-making, dessert, illustration, and tea geek labs, each contributing to a cohesive narrative of innovation and experiential retail. The design philosophy embraces an immersive garden concept, incorporating technological elements such as LED displays and sophisticated lighting systems integrated within metal grilles and aluminum foam sheet-clad walls. A geometric staircase serves as both a functional element and visual centerpiece, connecting the various laboratory spaces while maintaining design continuity. The second floor features a particularly noteworthy Tea Geek Lab, distinguished by its pitched roof design and moon-shaped artistic installation set against an LED starry sky backdrop. The interior architecture demonstrates exceptional material selection, combining brushed metal finishes with contemporary elements to create an atmosphere that balances technological sophistication with natural elements, exemplified by the strategic window placement that frames exterior greenery. This award-winning design represents a significant evolution in retail space conception, successfully merging commercial functionality with artistic expression and technological integration.

retail design, experiential architecture, contemporary tea culture, immersive retail space, laboratory-inspired interior, technological integration

— Adam Dawson