Revitalizing tea culture: a tea experience hub and resort in the dooars/

Abstract

Set amidst the tea garden landscapes of the Dooars, The Tea Experience Hub and Resort is an architectural project that merges tourism, culture and agriculture to celebrate the rich legacy of tea in India. Located in Nya Sylee Tea Estate in Nagrakata, West Bengal, the project seeks to represent the architecture of colonial bungalows (which were used by British tea estate managers) through a contemporary lens while creating a sensory journey that traces the path of tea from leaf to cup. The proposal addresses the growing demand for immersive, experience-based tourism that also promotes local heritage. The project is rooted in the need to diversify the regional economy by leveraging the cultural and ecological assets of the Dooars. With the tea industry forming a significant part of the region’s identity and economy, the project aims to offer a meaningful platform for both visitors and locals. For tourists, it provides a guided, interactive experience of tea-making and tasting along with guest accommodations. For the local community, it offers skill development and new opportunities in ecotourism, as a corporate social responsibility. The design approach is shaped by a reinterpretation of the colonial bungalows and tea estate planning. A central colonnaded axis guides the site planning, leading from a reception and administration area, ending at the tea factory of this tea estate, as one moves through the exhibits, tea tasting and blending zones, amphitheater and tea cafe. The architectural language blends vernacular elements-such as deep verandas, louvered windows and natural materials. The resort rooms placed along the periphery of the site, offer views of endless tea gardens that deepen the connection with nature. The spatial narrative is designed to stimulate curiosity and engagement, right from the entrance to the site, offering visitors tactile, olfactory and visual interactions with tea and its stories. The resort promotes slow, mindful tourism that enhances the well-being of its users while respecting the environment. Ultimately, it is a vision for tourism that elevates local identity while offering visitors a deeper, more meaningful connection to the story of tea. Keywords: Tea Tourism, Dooars, Colonial Architecture