Sabah Teh: Community Driven Tea Plantation

City University Malaysia

Project idea

The Sabah Teh - Community Driven Tea Plantation project aims to blend traditional tea cultivation practices with modern design, creating a space for farmers, locals, and tourists. Focused on community engagement and cultural preservation, it seeks to improve farmers' livelihoods, enhance visitor experiences, and boost the local economy. Built on sustainability, the project strives to maintain tea as a key part of Ranau’s identity.

Project description

The building is organized into four primary sections:

1) Cultivation section: Located on the left side of the building for convenient access to the plantation, this section handles all pre-processing activities. Key buildings in this area include the nursing house and sorting house. The nursing house, designed with bamboo frames, is divided into dedicated zones for various activities related to the cultivation of young plants or seeds before they are transported to the field. It features a systematic irrigation system for adult tea plants and a water tank beneath the floor, allowing farmers to use it instead of the automated watering system, ensuring better control and safeguarding the delicate needs of young plants. The nursing house also contains two multi-purpose rooms that can be used for plant cutting or as break areas where farmers can privately sample processed tea. Adjacent to the nursing house is the sorting house, which is equipped with a rainwater harvesting system. Both houses utilize collected water for their operations. The sorting house has an inward sloping roof that channels rainwater into a structure that drains it into a timber frame with a net for washing sessions. This setup allows farmers to monitor the condition of freshly plucked leaves while they are still held by the net. Above the timber frame, a smooth, hollow concrete flower shape softens the water flow to ensure gentle washing. On both sides of the structure, two ergonomically designed sunken seating areas provide comfort during waiting periods. One of these seating areas faces the exterior, with rotatable rattan-based shelves designed to position the tea leaves directly under the sun for draining after washing, before transporting them to the processing areas.

2) Hospitality section: This part of the building caters to the regular flow of locals and visitors, offering a space for dining or enjoying a cup of tea. The design integrates both the tea tasting area and the restaurant into a unified space, with a preparation kitchen positioned between the two. The tea tasting area features a water well-inspired rainwater storage, replenished by the water collected from the cultivation section, symbolizing traditional practices and the vital role of water in tea cultivation. Surrounded by wooden furniture and bamboo screens, the space evokes the rustic charm of tea plantations. The restaurant, on the other hand, provides a more intimate dining experience with its design of individual pods, creating a peaceful and private setting for visitors.

-Between both sections lies the building's main entrance, which separates the flow of visitors and farmers, with visitors entering on the ground floor and farmers directed to the first floor. The visitor's entrance features two seating areas designed to provide information about the building tour, accompanied by suspended ceiling lamps that play Sabahan musical notes when touched, creating an interactive experience. At the center, a stainless steel lattice pattern invites visitors to leave memory locks, adding a personal and symbolic touch to their visit.
The farmers' entrance includes a designated weighing corner, where farmers can weigh their daily produce, promoting transparency between stakeholders and workers. A Sabahan-inspired column is centrally placed, serving as a cultural focal point for farmers, surrounded by comfortable seating banquettes, creating an engaging and welcoming space.

3) Central Section: The building's central area houses spaces where farmers process tea, while visitors are introduced to Sabahan culture, complemented by a distinct tea experience. On the left, directly connected to the sorting house for easy leaf transport after pre-processing activities, is the withering space. This area is intentionally separated to maintain a dry environment, with its curved design maximizing sun penetration. A thatched roof protects the leaves from direct sunlight, creating an ideal withering condition. The exposure to sunlight also supports the building’s electricity needs through the integration of solar panels.
The central hub features the remaining stages of tea processing on the first floor, with dedicated spaces for each stage. On the ground floor, a communal stage serves as a cultural focal point, providing a space for events and performances. Additionally, separate spaces showcase moving illustrations created by local artists, which bring "Sunduan," the traditional Sabahan storytelling, to life. Tea blending workshops are also offered, engaging visitors in the cultural and sensory experience.

4) Farmers' Living and Market: The elevated living units are designed with inspiration from traditional Sabahan house architecture, each featuring a communal space beneath (Balai) that functions as a versatile workshop for farmers. This space embodies the cultural significance of community in Sabahan culture, providing a collaborative area for various activities. Below each unit, a tea shop is directly connected, allowing farmers to sell their handcrafted tea products and offer self-made tea blends, fostering a direct link between production and retail.

-Ruang Teh: An outdoor circular space is designed for post-processing activities, providing visitors with an engaging experience after completing the plantation tours. On the ground floor, a central leaf collection point features tubes infused with tea, offering a sensory aroma experience. Along the edges, a pulley system structure is used for drying the leaves, while tea curation workshops invite visitors to participate in the post-processing stages of tea production. Additionally, a tea display rope design is featuredon the first floor, where visitors can learn proper care techniques for tea leaves, enhancing their understanding of the tea cultivation process.

Technical information

The design focuses on sustainability and local craftsmanship, using materials like recycled wood, bamboo, and rattan, which are abundant in the region and have a minimal environmental impact. These materials are used together to create a structure that blends with the landscape and reflects traditional building methods.
The roof is made from timber and thatch, providing insulation, while bamboo and timber supports ensure durability. Solar panels generate renewable energy to power the building, with backup generators for reliability during power outages.
Lighting is provided by locally sourced rattan for wall sconces and custom pendant lighting, adding both function and local flair. Handwoven rattan mats, crafted by local artisans, enhance the interior, contributing to the building's cultural connection.
Additionally, a rainwater harvesting system has been integrated into the design, with bamboo piping used as part of the façade treatment. This system captures and stores rainwater, which is then filtered and used to irrigate the tea plants or for other building needs.