Founded by Kuan Chun Cheng, Homework is an interior design studio that specializes in making use of old and found elements. The team of four also run a vintage shop out of their quarters at No. 6, Alley 1, Lane 172, on Sanyuan Street, in Taipei City, Taiwan.
“Modern society has produced so many quick products. In exchange for low cost, the beauty and texture are discarded,” writes Kuan Chun. “This new consumption norm has inadvertently caused more waste. In fact, if you can choose, why not go back in time with us, cherish every age full of sentimental objects?” Join us for a tour of the Xiao Yin Tea House, created by Homework from what had been a noodle joint—and currently open for business.
Photography courtesy of Homework (@homeworkdesign_).
![the tea house is on the ground floor of an apartment building. the façade 17](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/xiaoyin-tea-house-taipei-city-design-by-homework-studio-1-733x1097.jpg)
![a simple globe light on a wood ceiling in the arched entry—the name xiao 18](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/xiaoyin-tea-house-taipei-city-design-by-homework-studio-11-733x1097.jpg)
![the hinoki framed windows—with original opaque glass—came out of 19](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/xiaoyin-tea-house-taipei-city-design-by-homework-studio-3-733x490.jpg)
![\2\20;we tried to create a place for people to slow down, clear their mi 20](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/xiaoyin-tea-house-taipei-city-design-by-homework-studio-2-733x1098.jpg)
![homework collects and sells vintage hanging lights, such as this one with a por 21](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/xiaoyin-tea-house-taipei-city-design-by-homework-studio-5-733x490.jpg)
![some of the furnishings have a monastic beauty. 22](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/xiaoyin-tea-house-taipei-city-design-by-homework-studio-7-733x1097.jpg)
![kuan chun cheng is homework\2\17;s founder and lead designer. photograph 23](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/designer-kuan-chun-cheng-homework-studio-taipei-city-1-1.jpg)
![the round window is a based on a traditional chinese building element; \ 24](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/xiaoyin-tea-house-taipei-city-design-by-homework-studio-8-733x1097.jpg)
![a pleated brass hanging light, \$\2,800 twd (\$98 usd), is one of a small colle 25](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/xiaoyin-tea-house-taipei-city-design-by-homework-studio-10-733x490.jpg)
![homework designed this teapot stand; the base holds a candle heater. 26](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/xiaoyin-tea-house-taipei-city-design-by-homework-studio-9-733x1097.jpg)
![xiaoyin tea house taipei city design by homework studio 12](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/xiaoyin-tea-house-taipei-city-design-by-homework-studio-12-733x1098.jpg)
![reclaimed pine paneling was artfully applied to the side of the building. find 28](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/xiaoyin-tea-house-taipei-city-design-by-homework-studio-4-733x490.jpg)
More on designing with found materials:
- Reuse in Action: a Rustic Townhouse Remodel by Retrouvius
- Expert Advice: 7 Tips for Sourcing from Salvage with Architectural Designer Tom Givone
- Expert Advice: What to Source from Salvage with Zio & Sons
Have a Question or Comment About This Post?
Join the conversation