Architectural Evolution and Developmental Phases of Chayxana

Teahouses

Oybek Sadikjanovich Kasimov

National Institute of Fine Art and Design named after Kamoliddin Bekhzod, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Keywords: Civilization, Modernism, Decorative, Interior Environment, Decoration.

Abstract: The article explores the significance of teahouses in Central Asia, focusing on their interior decoration and

role in social life. It delves into the historical context of these teahouses, tracing their evolution to the modern

era. The author provides a detailed analysis of contemporary teahouses, highlighting how they have adapted

to present-day needs while preserving traditional elements. Special emphasis is placed on the incorporation

of national identity in the interior design of teahouses, showcasing unique cultural aspects. The article draws

scientific conclusions about the cultural and social importance of teahouses, underscoring their enduring

relevance in Central Asian society. Through this examination, the author illuminates how teahouses serve not

only as places for tea consumption but also as vital social hubs that reflect and maintain cultural heritage.

1 INTRODUCTION

In a general sense, we can say that architecture is a

material and spatial environment created artificially

for the benefit of man, an environment that

simultaneously opposes nature and connects man

with nature. It is necessary to work seriously on the

exterior appearance of the object being designed

before the interior part. In this process, the harmony

of interior and exterior is very important. The biggest

mistake of these specialists is to think about the

internal environment after building the architecture of

the building.

Various complex requirements for architectural

structures sometimes conflict with each other. The

task of composition is to reconcile and unite these

opposites. This means that the same building can be

solved with different compositional techniques. The

architect's skill is to find the best of them. It is the best

composition that simultaneously meets functional,

technical, economic, and aesthetic requirements and

at the same time is distinguished by its harmony,

beauty, organic unity, parts, and integrity in all

connections and relationships.

One such difficult project is the Teahouse from

public buildings. Historically, teahouses have been

considered meeting places for men to gather and

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4287-2491

share information, social interaction, friendship, and

brotherhood. It is an invariable part of local traditions.

Teahouses are usually built in cool, shady places

along streams. Because the need for cool places was

felt in teahouses for people to be free, restrained, and

calm. Uzbek men gather around a low table on beds

decorated with ancient carpets (souri) and enjoy

delicious soup, shashlik, and green tea. Tea, of

course, is the national drink of the Uzbek people,

associated with national dishes. Since teahouse food

is fatty and heavy, green tea must be consumed after

it, which helps digestion.

Figure 1: Uzbek teahouses of the 20th century.

2 METHODS

Scientific work has also been done on teahouses.

However, this subject, its interior kitchens, has not

Kasimov, O.

Architectural Evolution and Developmental Phases of Chayxana Teahouses.

DOI: 10.5220/0012975300003882

Paper published under CC license (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)

In Proceedings of the 2nd Pamir Transboundary Conference for Sustainable Societies (PAMIR-2 2023), pages 1465-1470

ISBN: 978-989-758-723-8

1465

been fully scientifically studied. Teahouses are

considered to be one of the most important places in

history.

We observe a special appearance in the interior

decoration of the teahouse. The walls of the teahouse

are made of shelves, and the shelves are decorated

with various dishes (bowls, beautifully decorated

plates, teapots, and bowls) and these items are used

(if necessary). Ordinary straw plaster was considered

the main raw material of the interior. The decoration

is very traditional - low tables are surrounded by the

same low-covered carpets and sofas. When entering a

house or a tea house, individuals should take off their

shoes, because it is one of the most crucial traditions.

You are always welcome here and whether you are a

regular guest or a first-time visitor, you will always

be treated with exceptional hospitality and respect.

The proportions of the rooms and their

configuration are of great importance. Random

protrusions and columns spoil the purity of the form,

making it difficult to arrange the furniture.

The interior of a catering enterprise largely

depends on the purpose of the enterprise. Self-service

kitchens require free, open space for non-specialized

cafeterias and fast food.

Open spaces are great for calling customers. The

reason is that finding a comfortable and cool place to

eat on hot days is often considered one of the

problematic situations. Because in the conditions of

Uzbekistan, almost no one likes to eat in closed

kitchens during the hot day. That's why in ancient

times, our ancestors did not set up teahouses on the

banks of streams. But sometimes, if the interior

environment is provided with beautiful conditions,

customers will often go and eat in such places. In

addition, the interior decoration of the kitchen must

please the eyes of people.

The interior of these enterprises is characterized

by naturalness, which includes lighting, low-cost

natural and artificial finishing materials, strictness,

and brevity of details. The interior of restaurants and

cafes located in a beautiful area, close to architectural

monuments or water bodies can be solved based on

the principle of organic connection with the outdoor

space, which is well observed from all parts of the

hall.

The interior of teahouses can be insulated based

on the principle of complete isolation from the

environment. For example, if it is planned to hold

some events in the teahouse, such teahouses will have

a modern view. If the halls are intended for quiet rest

and conversations, such methods as decorative

fences, flowers, and bushes, and grouping of

equipment from high and low floors are used to

separate such places from the general area. Since

teahouses are a place of national public eating, their

interiors will have a unique look.

Today, while redeveloping and improving all

areas of our national culture and art, unceasingly

mastering advanced common values, preserving the

most effective national traditions of our identity, and

being in harmony with the needs of the times in every

area It is considered relevant.. One such area of our

cultural heritage means that we strive to develop from

traditional national crafts to modern tea-making in

Uzbekistan.

Figure 2: R.D. Drawings taken from Asomov's dissertation

on "Types of modern teahouses for the Central Asian

Republics".

The most important element of the program for

the development of socio-cultural services to the

population in public catering establishments is the

expansion and improvement of the network.

When studying the typology of teahouses, it

became clear that the beautiful interior design of the

teahouse also depends on how clearly and beautifully

thought out its exterior is.

In public catering establishments, especially

teahouses, elements of folk architecture are well

suited to national cuisine, and arts and crafts or

interior styles in the national spirit are widely used.

Figure 3: National modern tea house interiors in

Uzbekistan.

2.1 An Artistic Solution to the Memory

of Teahouses in the Countries of

Central Asia

Indeed, teahouses are one of the informational and

social centers of Central Asia. This is the peace breath

of the East, an integral part of the market and the

bustling atmosphere of quiet streets. Drinking tea,

PAMIR-2 2023 - The Second Pamir Transboundary Conference for Sustainable Societies- | PAMIR

1466

chatting with friends, having short rest, one-hour

meetings with hot tea are the most interesting cultural

page in the history of the peoples of the East.

Traditionally, tea has been consumed in teahouses

since ancient times. The teahouse is a special place

where you stop the time and talk about everything

calmly and from the heart. The teahouse was a place

to slowly discuss the latest news and plans with

friends, talk with neighbors, and have serious

negotiations. In Central Asia, after the mosque, the

tea house is considered one of the most famous and

most visited places. Currently, the culture of Central

Asia is distinguished throughout the world. Today,

teahouses can be found in many countries of the

world. Teahouses have existed since ancient times

among the Tajiks, Uzbeks, and Turkmens living in

the center and south of this region.

Figure 4: The teahouse.

The soup made in teahouses in Tashkent is very

popular in Asian countries. Teahouses have existed

since ancient times among the Tadjiks, Uzbeks, and

Turkmens who live mainly in the center and south of

this region, and since those times, the way of life

(urban and rural) that they lived until the beginning of

the 20th century, compared to the Kazakhs, Kyrgyz,

and Karakalpaks, has become mainly nomadic, so

there were no traditional teahouses for this area.

In the history of the Uzbek people over the

centuries, folk decorative art has been diverse and

distinguished from the art of other peoples by its

uniqueness. The royal roots of this art go back to the

primitive society. We can see that people's artistic

processing of bodies began in ancient times, that is,

from the Stone Age. As a result of the high attention

paid to practical and visual art and philosophical

approaches, the art of decoration based on symbolism

began to develop. That is why, in Uzbek interiors,

other types of practical art, such as carpentry,

painting, goldsmithing, embroidery, pottery, and

calligraphy, have been formed wonderfully and

admirably in harmony with architecture. All types of

applied and visual arts enrich people's spiritual world,

form their artistic taste, and have a positive effect on

universal education, scientific outlook, and mentality.

3 DISCUSSION

With the introduction of Islam to the territory of

Uzbekistan, images of people, animals, and birds

began to be replaced by Arabic inscriptions and

geometric and unique plastic shapes. As a result, a

style of writing titles with patterns (epigraphy) has

appeared. Together with the patterns, the harmony of

the Arabic script was achieved. Arabic writing also

began to be used in decorations.

The painting art of the Middle Ages has been

popular all over the world since ancient times. The

magnificent buildings that our ancestors saw in the

past have not lost their charm until this day. Patterns

made with high taste amaze both us and foreigners.

Painting as a type of folk decorative art has been

an important part of Uzbek culture since ancient

times. Artistic painting is the art of creating beauty in

color combinations and unique compositions. A

master artist skillfully uses the natural luster of color,

shape, and texture of material to achieve vivid

expression in his work. From the form of copies of

"Almond", and "Pepper", it is possible to create

various unique patterns in folk art, such as painting,

jewelry, pottery, embroidery, and goldsmithing.

In the traditional architecture of Uzbekistan,

painting is mainly used to decorate ceilings, pillars of

palaces, public places such as mosques, schools,

teahouses, houses of the rich, and wooden products.

The rhythmic movement of branches, branches, and

luxuriously depicted flowers in an elegant plant-

geometric pattern, classical patterns of Uzbek

masters, and girikh patterns are adapted to the shape

of the ceilings. The pattern was used to decorate the

interior of the bridge and covered porches.

The pattern compositions of each village and city

are different from each other. Khorezm, Tashkent,

and Fergana painting schools have their decorations

and colors.

The project begins with the study of the planned

construction site. In the process of research, its

condition, climate, and soil samples are studied,

taking into account the fact that the place is an open

area, within the territory of the neighborhood.

Because Uzbekistan is located far from the ocean

and the sea, it has a continental climate due to its

location in the interior of the Eurasian continent. The

characteristic features of the continental climate are

as follows: The sky is clear and sunny; the

temperature is extremely high, the amount of annual

precipitation is sufficient, and evaporation is high;

summer lasts for a long time up to +50°C, it is very

hot, and winter is somehow cold for this geographical

latitude, the difference in annual and daily

Architectural Evolution and Developmental Phases of Chayxana Teahouses

1467

temperature is large. These features of the climate of

Uzbekistan depend, first of all, on the factors that

create the climate. Therefore, I think that we should

create energy-saving projects in the climate of

Uzbekistan because, in the climatic conditions of

Uzbekistan, they can be widely used in the field of

construction. The reason is that the sun and wind can

be efficiently used.

3.1 Functional Composition Groups of

Rooms

Before starting the teahouse project, the technological

interconnection of the rooms and the functional

composition of the groups of rooms are determined.

Three main processes are characteristic of a teahouse:

receiving and storing products, preparing flour and

confectionery products and delivering them to

customers, organizing customer service in the halls,

and ensuring that all these processes are functionally

interconnected. Functional interdependence is

defined as an established interrelationship that

requires that these interrelationships conform to the

sequence of key processes.

Therefore, the rooms included in the Teahouse

architectural solution are combined into the following

functional groups:

For customers - vestibule, i.e. visiting area

(including cloakroom, washroom, and toilets).

Production - room for hot and cold food stores,

vegetables, and other products; kitchen and dining

room dishwashing room, food distribution and

transfer room.

For receiving and storing products - refrigerated

chambers for storing meat products, fruits,

vegetables, beverages, dairy products, and gourmet

products; inventory, dishes - trays, storage rooms for

dry products and vegetables.

Service and cultural-domestic rooms -

administration room, staff room, staff wardrobe, bed

linen, and rooms for shower and toilet.

Technical service rooms - ventilation chamber,

room for electrical panels, rooms for cooling

chambers.

This artistic and craft-oriented direction tries to

combine all the factors listed above to create a

harmonious project on the exterior and interior sides.

A multi-dimensional approach in all aspects, the

rational choice of thermal protection of

environmental structures, the choice of engineering

equipment, and the efficiency of using renewable

energy sources were taken into account in the design

of a teahouse building that meets the most sanitary

and hygienic requirements, and most importantly, it

is environmentally friendly and energy efficient.

As a result of the research, conclusions,

recommendations, and project proposals were

developed for the comprehensive improvement of the

structure of the construction of a modern

neighborhood tea house.

In the external and internal design of buildings,

solutions that take into account the directions of the

sun and wind, natural materials, the location of

innovative and information technology equipment,

and comprehensive solutions for planting national

traditions and values are designed.

As a result of the comprehensive application of

the principles of "smart house" in ergonomics and

new architecture, design styles in the interior of the

building, the creation of microclimate, acoustics,

audio, video, household, and other devices is

achieved in harmony.

Preservation of national values and traditions and

development of handicrafts are formed by achieving

harmony of spatial, design (rooms, raven, porch, and

courtyard) modern solutions, and artistic solutions.

Table 1: Composition and area of the chaykhana premises.

Premises for visitors

Area, m2

Main hall

90 m2

Entrance hall with dressing room

18 m2

Bathroom

5m2

Summer premises and structures

(aiwans, sufas

from the main

idea)

Active recreation area

Area for playing billiards and table

tennis.

20m2

Production area

Hot shop

25m2

Tableware washing room

10 m2

Kitchen utensil washing room

10 m2

Administrative and economic zone

Room for elders and mahalla

leadership

20 m2

Warehouses

2x 18 m2

Staff room

10m2

Shower and toilet for staff

8m2

PAMIR-2 2023 - The Second Pamir Transboundary Conference for Sustainable Societies- | PAMIR

1468

A creative architectural and design harmony

solution is achieved by adopting a form that is

favorable to the effects of the sun, wind, and

precipitation. A combination of national values and

modernity can be achieved in the exterior and interior

solution due to the comprehensive approach to the

comprehensive types of craftsmanship in achieving

the architectural and design harmony solution.

In internal and external solutions, construction,

finishing, energy-saving materials, innovative

technologies, techniques, and equipment are designed

in harmony, so environmental and technological

safety is ensured in the surrounding and external

environment.

Figure 5: "Suv Boyi" teahouse located in M.Ulugbek

district, Tashkent city.

Figure 6: Interiors of the Suv Boyi tea house.

The atmosphere of 50-70 years ago has been

preserved in the interiors of the "Suv Bo’yi" tea

house. Shallow pools are made of plywood on the

ceilings. Made of pressed wood chips (DSP).

Although this raw material is considered natural, glue

is used for it. The top layer of the walls is clay putty

mixed with crushed straw. It is not painted with any

paint, it is self-colored and consists of shelves. The

other sides of the wall are decorated with hand-

stitched Sozana patterns. Blankets, bedspreads, and

pillows are spread on the floor. Although the

chandelier and sofa in the interior are foreign to this

place, they were used in some modern families at that

time. The sofa is specially designed for elderly people

(who have problems with bending their knees). Such

interiors were seen in many ordinary Uzbek houses in

their time.

Figure 7: Modern Uzbek tea house.

Currently, the construction of modern teahouses

and their beautiful interior design is developing day

by day. It has become a tradition to feel the air in

interior decoration and to use every piece of

equipment and decoration in its place. Some, inspired

by wood carving, even use khontakhta and supa

effectively in the interiors, while some have beautiful

interior solutions from national fabrics and pottery

samples.

As is seen in the photo, above photo papers can

also be used in modern tea rooms. He brought the

architecture of Samarkand into the interior through

photographs.

In addition to teahouses, national-style interior

projects are also being implemented in cafes,

restaurants, and public dining places specially. As

people's lifestyle changes, art and culture and other

fields also adapt and get used to it.

Figure 8: Modern interpretation of the national style in

cafes.

3.2 The Appearance of Uzbek

Teahouses Abroad

Figure 9: Modern interpretation of the national style in

cafes.

The opening of Uzbek teahouses in Arab countries is

one of the things we are proud of. Look at the

combination of the Arab direction and the Uzbek

direction, giving a wonderful fairy-tale appearance.

Such an interior with a harmony of colors and a

mysterious appearance will fascinate any person.

Architectural Evolution and Developmental Phases of Chayxana Teahouses

1469

Figure 10: "Aiva" tea house restaurant in Tolyatti.

Figure 11: Teahouse in Murmansk.

If any interior project is implemented on the same

topic, it certainly depends on the region of the globe.

Because the climate, culture, and lifestyle of that

region have an impact on the compositional solution

and color harmony of the project.

Figure 12: Oasis teahouse in America.

Figure 13: "Chaikhana Sato" restaurant in Riga.

A new restaurant of Uzbek cuisine "Chaikhana

Sato" has been opened in the city of Riga, Blaumana

Street, 5a. The three halls of the restaurant are

decorated in a restrained European style, but Uzbek

interior items are used for decoration. As we all know,

Sato is an ancient musical instrument, and these

musical instruments were specially brought from

Uzbekistan. The photos on the walls of the restaurant

were taken by the management of Restconsult

(Aleksandr Slobin and Elena Kashina) during their

cultural and gastronomic tour of Uzbekistan. In

addition, a traditional clay "tandir" was brought to the

restaurant "Chaikhona sato" from Tashkent.

4 CONCLUSION

As a result of the research, the teahouse in the

Makhalla area served as a social center, being the

most visited and widely used space. The community,

as a group, is seen as a uniting place that shares

national values and loves each other.

In ancient times, the artistic solution of

memorization, and comprehensive examples of

national craftsmanship found their place in harmony

with each other in this complex.

Until now, it has been a place of "living heritage"

that promotes the national values, culture, and art of

Central Asia to residents, guests, and tourists.

However, some shortcomings are observed in the

neighborhood tea house, which operates in the life of

modern society.

Teahouses mainly operate only as restaurants, not

enough attention is drawn to oriental values, customs,

and new traditions, and facilities are not created.

There is no integrity in the national traditional

handicrafts and arts in the interior and exterior.

Modern size-spatial, equipment principles and

solution models are required to restore and develop

national values in teahouse rooms, porches, and

courtyards.

REFERENCES

Tosunova, M. I. (1968). Architectural design. "Vysshaya

Shkola".

Tosunova, M. I., Gavrilova, M. M., & Poleshuk, I. V.

(1988). Architectural design. "Vysshaya Shkola".

Asamov, R. D. (1982). Contemporary types of tea houses

for the Republics of Central Asia (Architectural-

typological practice of Uzbekistan).

Ramazanov, D. (2019). Importance of using traditional

national crafts in modern tea house architecture in

Uzbekistan.

Kasimov, O. S. (2020). Methods of complex formation of

the modern residential environment. In Current issues

in the history of the people of Central Asia.

International scientific conference. Тashkent.

Kasimov, O. S. (2017). Garden Legacy of East and West

[Monograph]. LAP Lambert Academic Publishing RU.

Nasirov, B. (2022). From the history of the public catering

system in Uzbekistan in the 30-80s of the XX century.

No. 1.

Kazakova, T. I. (2014). Foreign experience of catering

organizations. Bulletin of the Vestnik NGIEI.

Ubaydullaev, Kh. M., Ubaydullaev, M. M., & Inogamova.

(2009). Typological foundations for the design of

residential and public buildings. Tashkent: Varis

nashriyot.

PAMIR-2 2023 - The Second Pamir Transboundary Conference for Sustainable Societies- | PAMIR

1470