The Gourmet Tea by Alan Chu
Flat panels on a multi-coloured wall slide, swing and roll out to create a secret tea shop in a São Paulo shopping centre (+ slideshow).
![The Gourmet Tea by Alan Chu The Gourmet Tea by Alan Chu](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/06/dezeen_The-Gourmet-Tea-by-Alan-Chu-17.jpg)
Designed by Brazilian architect Alan Chu, the counter of The Gourmet Tea slides forward from beneath a purple hatch, while shelves can be wheeled out from behind a grey panel and a cupboard emerges from behind a large brown door.
![The Gourmet Tea by Alan Chu The Gourmet Tea by Alan Chu](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/06/dezeen_The-Gourmet-Tea-by-Alan-Chu-16.jpg)
Even the sign for the shop is concealed behind a hinged flap.
![The Gourmet Tea by Alan Chu The Gourmet Tea by Alan Chu](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/06/dezeen_The-Gourmet-Tea-by-Alan-Chu-14.jpg)
Other tea shops we've featured on Dezeen include one where the image of a teapot perforates the walls and one filled with stacked wooden cubes.
![The Gourmet Tea by Alan Chu The Gourmet Tea by Alan Chu](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/06/dezeen_The-Gourmet-Tea-by-Alan-Chu-13.jpg)
Photography is by Djan Chu.
Here's a little more information from Alan Chu:
The Gourmet Tea This is the third store made by Brazilian architect Alan Chu for local tea brand "The Gourmet Tea".
![The Gourmet Tea by Alan Chu The Gourmet Tea by Alan Chu](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/06/dezeen_The-Gourmet-Tea-by-Alan-Chu-3.jpg)
As on the earlier stores, the design was inspired by the brand's bright packing for its range of 35 organic tea blends, but on each new project new light is given to the use of color.
![The Gourmet Tea by Alan Chu The Gourmet Tea by Alan Chu](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/06/dezeen_The-Gourmet-Tea-by-Alan-Chu-7.gif)
The colorful plywood box opens in many ways to the public creating a dynamic, joyful atmosphere around it self using design as a tool to provide the right brand experience.
![The Gourmet Tea by Alan Chu The Gourmet Tea by Alan Chu](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/06/dezeen_The-Gourmet-Tea-by-Alan-Chu-6.gif)
Location: São Paulo, Brasil Area: 25,00m2
![The Gourmet Tea by Alan Chu The Gourmet Tea by Alan Chu](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/06/dezeen_The-Gourmet-Tea-by-Alan-Chu-9.gif)
Project : 2011 Construction: 2012
![The Gourmet Tea by Alan Chu The Gourmet Tea by Alan Chu](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/06/dezeen_The-Gourmet-Tea-by-Alan-Chu-8.gif)
Architecture: Alan Chu Team: Thiago Moretti
![The Gourmet Tea by Alan Chu The Gourmet Tea by Alan Chu](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/06/dezeen_The-Gourmet-Tea-by-Alan-Chu-11.gif)