Intro

Understory is a tea house in Chattanooga that asked us to design and build its full interior—from the service bar and seating platforms to shelving, lighting, and signage. The goal was to create a calm, layered environment rooted in natural materials and soft light, supporting both daily tea service and moments of ceremony. The small footprint and existing conditions required careful attention to circulation, sightlines, and atmosphere, with each element working together to give the room its sense of presence.

My Role

I led the design and fabrication process, working closely with the client to refine the space as the concept developed. My responsibilities included:

Design Development: Establishing the spatial framework through drawings and digital models, and testing how bar layout, seating, and lighting shaped movement and experience.

Material & Fixture Development: Designing custom lighting and shelving systems, integrating vertical illumination, and resolving technical needs like kettle wiring and concealed power distribution.

Coordination & Prototyping: Adjusting details in response to client feedback, refining fixture sizes, and iterating layouts through on-site mock-ups and full-scale placement.

Fabrication & Installation: Building the major interior components—bar, platforms, shelving—and tuning proportions and finishes on site to match the room’s character.

Results

The completed tea house blends wood, soft light, and custom furniture into a cohesive interior that feels both grounded and ceremonial. Lighting anchors the space, platforms create a slower rhythm of gathering, and the bar supports an efficient service system without compromising atmosphere. The project reinforced a flexible, collaborative process where design intent and construction informed each other, resulting in an environment that feels warm, intentional, and distinctly Understory.

This project was supported by Reed Solly’s sewing and cushion skills, Diane Yu’s textiles, Tate Sutter’s fabrication work, and Taylor’s thoughtful collaboration as a client.