源 · 茶 ♻️ T • CAFE

A very compelling story, starting from Wan Chai Pier in Hong Kong. The pier, which had served for more than 40 years, was forced to cease use and be demolished in 2014, seemingly disappearing in the torrent of time. However, the story does not end there, it takes an unexpected turn.

There is a design team called "LAAB". Inspired by recycling, they decided to give this demolished pier a new life. Not only did they recycle nearly a hundred pieces of anti-collision wood, but they also used these wood as a basis to create dining chairs with various characteristics. These dining chairs are not only the crystallization of design, but also the bearers of half a century of Hong Kong memories. They brought these dock wood to a brand new place called "Source." Tea", a restaurant located in "Yuan. A light restaurant in the area.

During the process of sorting the wood, "LAAB" found that some wood had not been corroded by sea water and was relatively well preserved. They made these wood into large desktops and coffee tables, as well as rows of neat wooden benches. As for the wood that was riddled with holes over time, they sealed it with transparent resin and presented it in the form of a small, square, three-dimensional stool. These dock logs that have gone through vicissitudes of life, although they have flaws, show unique historical value.

The "LAAB" team was established in 2013. The members of this team come from different fields, including architects, artists, designers, engineers, makers, and even sociologists. From public art to public spaces to architecture and interior design, their work focuses on the interaction of people, nature and culture. With a simple and forward-looking approach, they are committed to exploring various complex social issues and creating comfortable and pleasant life scenes. Based in Hong Kong, they take their work around the world. Their efforts have also been recognized by many awards, including "Japan Good Design Award Top 100", "Germany IF International Design Award", "Germany Red Dot International Design Award", "American Institute of Architects International District Design Award", etc. wait.

The story of the LAAB team is like a wonderful movie, starting from a forgotten dock and showing the power of creativity and regeneration. Not only did they create stunning designs, they also allowed a piece of history to continue to bloom in a new location. The decoration and stories in the restaurant can lead diners into a vibrant and interesting immersive experience.

After arriving at this environmentally friendly and renewable energy cafe located far away in the mountains, gourmets will immediately feel that they are in a different world! This place is a bit like the low-density plain simple style of "Muji". The tables and chairs are all made of refurbished wood. Even the wooden piles removed from the old Wan Chai Pier have been reused, making it feel particularly friendly. While eating here, you can also overlook the vast Deep Bay, which makes you feel so happy. You can also sit on the terrace and enjoy the sea view. It is really a place worth recommending.

Their cappuccino is still only $33 after the price increase, which is great value for money and definitely not inferior to other coffee shops. As for their marble cheese cake, after adding $10 to the price, it still only costs $35. Although the taste is solid and ordinary, it's okay.

Some diners at the same venue recommended their cooked food, so we also tried the noodle and rice set menu. The handmade products are honest and carefully crafted. In addition, visitors should remember to visit the official website of "T·Park" in advance to make a reservation. The tour guide outsourced by the Environmental Protection Department will provide a free shuttle bus to and from "V City", which takes about half an hour. The guided tour takes approximately 45 minutes. This place is very suitable for parents and children, check-in and people who want to learn about renewable energy.

"Source·Tea" is located in Tuen Mun District. The detailed address is the 1st floor of the EEC Building, "T·Park" sludge treatment facility, 25 Nim Wan Road, Tsang Tsui, Tuen Mun. The seats here are very spacious, with more than 20 seats in total.

What is the price of "Source Tea"? After discounts, per capita consumption is about $40-70, and breakfast, lunch and dinner are all available. The menu of "Yuan Tea" includes Western dishes, sandwiches, juices, salads, Western pastries, coffee and other delicacies. The payment method can be electronic or cash payment. In addition, you can also reserve a seat through online reservation. You can call +852 2910 - 9700 queries.

It is said that many tourists who are interested in scientific research are looking for interesting information about "Source·Zone", especially those who want to experience the "T·Park" spa pool for free. I have seen people searching for "T·Park" reservations, day trips, and spa pools...Fooday foodies will probably want to know what fun things there are, so this time we will also provide you with a more detailed program to coordinate your dining here. .

The transportation is convenient. As mentioned earlier, there is a free shuttle bus. If you want to dine and visit, it is best to make reservations online in advance, sign up for a guided tour or reserve a shuttle bus. In addition to booking activities to enjoy the multimedia and guided tour facilities, your children can also relax and play in the nearly 10,000 square meters of outdoor garden park. It will be a good family trip.

"Source District" is a place built at a cost of HK$5.3 billion. It was designed by the late French architect Claude Vasconi and was his last legacy - he died in Paris shortly after completing the design. It itself is a sludge treatment facility that treats the semi-solid residue left over from the sewage treatment process. It was completed in 2015 and officially opened on May 19, 2016. But this place is more than just a place to dispose of sludge, it also provides leisure and educational facilities and is a great place to learn and experience Hong Kong’s green culture.

The sludge incinerator here uses an advanced incineration system that can reduce the volume of sludge by 90%, thus greatly reducing the pressure on the landfill. The heat generated during the incineration process can generate electricity to provide energy for the daily operations of the entire park. The excess electricity can also be transmitted to the public power grid, enough to supply 4,000 households. In addition, the desalination plant can produce 600 cubic meters of fresh water per day and collect rainwater for non-potable purposes. The treated sewage is used for irrigation, toilet flushing and cleaning, achieving comprehensive zero-discharge of sewage and replacing the old technology of desalinating seawater with traditional distillation methods decades ago with a cheaper and more effective design.

When you step into the "Yuan District", the first thing that greets you is a large garden called "Yuan Forest". The garden covers an area of ​​more than 9,800 square meters and contains five main elements: fountain garden, leisure garden, Zen garden, wetland garden and outdoor foot bath. Here, gourmets can admire the beautiful fountains during their meal, stroll through the tranquil gardens, immerse themselves in the Zen atmosphere, and enjoy foot massages in the outdoor foot baths. The facilities here allow diners to relax and connect with nature.

Then everyone can enter the building. The most attractive place here is the only public spa facility in Hong Kong, "The Source", located on the ground floor of the building. This spa facility has three hydrotherapy pools with different temperatures: a 38-degree hot pool, a 24-degree warm pool and an 18-degree cold pool. Interestingly, the water temperature of these spas is heated or cooled by the electricity generated by the sludge incineration process, so when you take a bath, you can also feel the power of "turning waste into energy". Mineral salts are added to the hot pool, which can promote blood circulation. When you are in the pool and look out at the vast sea view of Deep Bay, all fatigue will disappear. Imagine soaking in the SPA here. It is not only enjoyable, but also the best way to restore physical strength.

After soaking in the SPA, we went to "Yuan Tea" on the second floor to enjoy light food. This cafe is managed by a social enterprise and provides simple light meals while introducing environmentally friendly tables, chairs and tableware. After dining here, visitors need to sort their own waste and clean the tableware, which gives them the opportunity to practice "waste reduction at source" and "treasure food".

The dining tables and chairs in the restaurant are made of nearly a hundred pieces of anti-collision wood recycled from the dismantled "Wan Chai Pier". These wood have been made through the efforts of Master Huang of "Zhi Kee Wood Factory" and the team of "LAAB Architects" , given new life and injected with new inspiration. This creative reuse method allows these anti-collision wood to be "reborn" while also demonstrating the concept of environmental protection and sustainable development.

Then, gourmets can go to the "Source Pavilion" next door to start an environmental education tour. Here, through models and short videos, you can gain an in-depth understanding of the process of sludge treatment and waste-to-energy conversion. The most surprising thing is that when we enter the barrel-shaped audio-visual room in the incinerator exhibition area, the doors on both sides will automatically close, making us feel as if we are in a real incinerator and feel its power and effect. From the back of the "Source Pavilion", you enter the "Source Corridor", where the real scene of the sludge treatment plant is displayed through the glass corridor. Through this display, we gained a deeper understanding of the sludge treatment process and gained important information on how to implement "waste reduction at source" in our daily lives. After that, you can go to the two observatories in the "Yuan District". The first one is the "Yuan Terrace" located on the rooftop on the second floor of the main building. This outdoor rooftop garden not only allows us to overlook the beautiful scenery of Deep Bay and Oyster Market, but the floor tiles also use environmentally friendly bricks, which can help cool down the building and allow us to enjoy a pleasant time here. Another observatory is located on the tenth floor of the Administration Building, this is "Source View". To reach this observation deck, we need to take a special viewing elevator in the corridor near the "Source Corridor" on the first floor. Once at the observation deck, in addition to admiring the incomparable sea view of Deep Bay, gourmets can also leave their own impressions of the visit. The observation deck also displays exhibits that local designers have used to "recycle" waste, allowing the dining experience to be more deeply infused with the creativity and concepts of sustainable development. Before ending the trip, you can visit the "Source Lake" on the east side of the building's perimeter. This is a reconstructed nature reserve. The wetlands are home to many small grebes, kingfishers, bitter birds, dragonflies and other amphibians. The scenery of the inner lake here is not grand, so gourmets can bring telescopes for their children to better appreciate this beautiful natural landscape.

In this protected area, we can feel the magic of nature and experience the importance of ecological protection. The eco-friendly designs and interactive experiences in these places make foodies more aware of the importance of sustainable development and environmental protection. We sat on the special seats in "Source Tea" and felt their past and present lives; in "Source Pavilion" and "Source Gallery", we had an in-depth understanding of the process of sludge treatment and turning waste into energy; On the observation deck of "Source District", we enjoyed the beautiful sea view and also saw how designers reused waste. This journey not only brings food, knowledge and inspiration, but also makes us realize that everyone can practice environmental protection in daily life and do their part for our planet. Whether it’s reducing waste at source or recognizing the value of nature reserves, each of us can be a driver of sustainability. Let us act together and build a better future on the food map while enjoying making and appreciating food!