A place of tea, art and architecture

Alliance Française de Dhaka is one of those locations where you can catch art exhibitions every month of the year.

That said, it can feel a bit repetitive walking into the same La Galerie in Dhanmondi every other week, seeing paintings hung on those familiar whitish-grey walls.

But every now and then, they surprise you with something totally different—at least, different enough to stand out to the average art lover. Their current exhibition, put together by Claymire—a group of architects, designers, and researchers- is one of those experiences that breaks the usual mold.

'A Place of Stories: Designing Tea Stall' is about combining art and architecture to give the traditional tea stall—or "tong" as we call it in Bangladesh—a fresh, community-focused twist. 

Out of more than 400 submissions from over 1,000 participants across different countries, these creative designs bring together culture, practicality, and sustainability. The top 50, chosen by the jurors, have been on display at La Galerie since 24 March.

"Essentially, we [Claymire] are a platform for generating ideas," said Debashish Roy David, one of the organisers and an architectural researcher at Claymire. 

"For our first competition, we asked participants from various backgrounds to reimagine the basic concept of the tea stall. We broke it down into three criteria—community impact, artistic elements, and product-driven design."

The exhibition offers visitors a fresh perspective on the tea stall—not just as a simple roadside stop but as a symbol of connection, resilience, and our inherent culture. With multiple submissions from overseas participants, it was fascinating to see how foreign architecture and designs reinterpreted the perception of  "tongs" that we inherently consider our own.  

For instance, a submission from a team in Nepal introduced a portable tea stall called 'Chiya Rath', which translates to Tea Chariot. Inspired by the Newari Rath (chariot), it's shaped like traditional temples and is a prominent feature during festivals. 

The portability adds a layer of efficiency to the tea stall concept, allowing people to easily grab a cup of tea while navigating crowded walkways during festivals and events.

Throughout the exhibition, it felt like the design processes prioritised community health and environmental sustainability, such as a reusable cup system to reduce waste and solutions for better smoke management, improving air quality.

Designers could choose an imaginary site or adapt their designs to a real location, allowing for a tailored approach. This flexibility ensured the tea stall design was contextually relevant, respecting local nuances to maximise its impact and effectiveness.

Some designs prioritised economic efficiency by creating a low-cost stall that required minimal space. A modular structure, easy to assemble and dismantle, suited the density of an urban setting, emphasising functionality. Others focused on ergonomic product design, aiming to optimise the seller's operations with maximum efficiency through innovative and user-friendly tools.

"Beneath the design and architectural elements, the participants really focused on storytelling," added David. "Each design carries its own narrative, and the participants worked to translate those stories into real-life adaptability and efficiency."

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ShaanTea by Mosaddek Hossain, Rezwan Hossain and Shamima Afroza

Other than the amusing word play translating to "peace" and "tea", ShaanTea acts as a protest against fear, fostering community engagement and reclaiming public space, having the potential to improve urban safety through architecture.

To counter the rising incidents of lynching, theft, and robbery in Dhaka—particularly in crime-prone areas like the narrow streets of Mohammadpur—the design team proposed placing tea stalls at key alleys and intersections. 

These stalls would encourage continuous movement, natural surveillance, and foot traffic, reducing criminal opportunities.

Inspired by the organic folds of tea leaves, the design incorporates sharp, modern architectural lines symbolising resilience. Locally sourced, sustainable wood ensures accessibility and warmth. 

Open-plan layouts eliminate hidden corners, while open facades enhance visibility from all angles, deterring crime. Strategic lighting removes dark zones, making spaces safer at night.

Tea Stall Design for a Single Mother by Mahdia Rahman

Having earned an honourable mention from the competition, this is more than just a design as the narrative weaves into the rhythm of everyday life. 

A mother seeking a future for herself and her child draws inspiration from the steady chug of locomotives and the timeless charm of the CRB area in Chattogram. 

Her tea stall, built from salvaged wood and woven bamboo, is both a livelihood and a sanctuary.

Situated by the railway tracks, its lower level serves steaming tea to daily wage workers and travelers, fostering community through shared moments. 

A small counter, made from repurposed street baskets, connects her with customers. Above, a cozy loft offers her a retreat where the railway's hum becomes a lullaby.

CommuniTEA by Rifat Mahmud and Fardin Islam

This tea stall design beautifully merges cultural heritage with modern sustainability. Designed for mobility, it features wheels for easy relocation and a foldable structure that expands when in use and compacts during transit. The walls double as seating and a counter, optimising space efficiency.

Inspired by the iconic rickshaw hood of Bangladesh, two hoods are seamlessly integrated on both sides, providing shade and enhancing aesthetics. 

The stall includes a 'Bondhu Chula,' an eco-friendly clay stove with a chimney for smoke management, ensuring a comfortable environment. A small plant corner with mint, tulsi, and lemongrass adds freshness to the tea experience.

Repurposed plastic baskets woven with jute serve as seating, while traditional Nakshi Kantha patterns and Jamini Roy's artwork decorate the stall. Arch-shaped openings, influenced by Zamindar bari architecture, further connect it to Bangladeshi heritage.

A chalkboard invites visitors to share poems and messages, turning the stall into a dynamic social space.