One Tea Tree
location Kyiv (Ukraine) / area 645 ft²/ year 2022 /budget 120 000$ / duration 6 month
ABOUT
The One Tea Tree teahouse on Reitarska Street in Kyiv became an example of a contemporary reimagining of a small-scale, intimate space. The project, designed by YOD Group, was carried out under my technical direction: I took full responsibility for the construction — from the ergonomics of the kitchen and bar station to supervising furniture production, facade works, and the implementation of all engineering systems.
CONSTRUCTION
I shaped the space into a cohesive, almost monolithic shell by using micro-concrete for both the floors and walls. The material flows seamlessly from one surface to another, creating the effect of a unified envelope. I fully replaced the windows with aluminum frames in a satin finish, left “as is” — this raw, honest material gave the interior an expressive industrial character.
During the construction phase I delivered the project in full alignment with YOD Group’s technical assignment. The space became cohesive and functional, combining honest materials, modern engineering solutions, and painstaking attention to detail — making One Tea Tree a truly unique destination in Kyiv.
The building’s facade was preserved and restored with the utmost respect for Kyiv’s historical fabric. Decorative Baroque elements were given new life: the restoration revived their clarity and expressiveness, making the facade a key accent of Reitarska Street’s architectural ensemble. This created a striking contrast with the contemporary interior, emphasizing the dialogue between old and new.
A distinctive feature was the wood brushing technique. This process involves removing the soft fibers of the wood with special steel brushes, leaving the harder fibers raised and textured. I personally developed and approved a unique ornamental pattern specifically for this project, a meticulous stage of experimentation that allowed me to find the texture that most accurately reflects the philosophy of the venue.
All the furniture was custom-made based on my sketches and reproduced with the highest precision. I personally searched for and approved material samples, coordinated with contractors, and supervised the manufacturing process. This attention to detail brought even more uniqueness and niche character to what is, in fact, a small space — ensuring that every element contributes to its distinct identity.
I designed the bar station by combining wood and stainless steel with a solid wood-slab countertop, integrating a built-in thermopot for fast tea brewing. Above the working area, I created a concealed technical zone with hidden ventilation and ducted air-conditioning, which preserved the ceiling height and kept the space visually light.
I also gave special attention to the climate-controlled tea chamber, built entirely of glass with adjustable temperature and humidity. The interior was finished with plywood and wood accents to emphasize the value of tea as a product while adding warmth to the design. In addition, I oversaw the restoration of the facade: decorative elements were carefully revived, while the new finish blended contemporary solutions with the historic context of Reitarska Street.
Project Execution Overview — “Electron Corp.”
• Demolition of old finishes and preparation of window openings.
• Installation of satin-finish aluminum windows (no painting, raw metal look).
• Floors and walls finished with micro-concrete, polished and sealed.
• Interior shaped as a continuous “shell” with seamless transitions.
• Installation of supply-and-exhaust ventilation and ducted air conditioning.
• Hidden wiring for bar and kitchen equipment, power lines and lighting.
• Plumbing and drainage prepared for bar station and kitchen.
• Custom bar station built from wood and stainless steel with solid-slab countertop.
• Thermopot integrated directly into the bar station.
• Climate-controlled tea chamber constructed from glass with plywood interior and full humidity/temperature control.
• Custom solid-wood furniture manufactured under author’s supervision.
• Brushed wood technique applied to highlight texture and add durability.
• Multiple samples tested to achieve balance between look and practicality.
• Final furniture built exactly to approved drawings and quality standards.
• Author’s supervision of all stages of construction and installation.
• Coordination of contractors, finishing, and handover to client.
• Demolition of old finishes and preparation of window openings.
• Installation of satin-finish aluminum windows (no painting, raw metal look).
• Floors and walls finished with micro-concrete, polished and sealed.
• Interior shaped as a continuous “shell” with seamless transitions.
• Installation of supply-and-exhaust ventilation and ducted air conditioning.
• Hidden wiring for bar and kitchen equipment, power lines and lighting.
• Plumbing and drainage prepared for bar station and kitchen.
• Custom bar station built from wood and stainless steel with solid-slab countertop.
• Thermopot integrated directly into the bar station.
• Climate-controlled tea chamber constructed from glass with plywood interior and full humidity/temperature control.
• Custom solid-wood furniture manufactured under author’s supervision.
• Brushed wood technique applied to highlight texture and add durability.
• Multiple samples tested to achieve balance between look and practicality.
• Final furniture built exactly to approved drawings and quality standards.
• Author’s supervision of all stages of construction and installation.
• Coordination of contractors, finishing, and handover to client.
artur.mishuk@gmail.com
