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Tea ceremony: finely honed for function and use, this formal tea-set is sure to become a classic

Architectural Review, The, Dec, 2002

Todd MacAllen and Stephanie Forsythe were commended for a delightful little stable and house in Colorado USA in the 1999 ar d awards. So it was with great surprise that we found, when we opened the envelopes containing the names, that the Canadian practice was also responsible for the exquisitely honed Float tea-lantern.

The idea is to make a vessel that has the ritualistic importance of the pot at Japanese, Russian and English tea ceremonies -- but in contemporary terms. Made only of tough heat resistant borosilicate glass, the lantern consists essentially of two concentric cylinders, separated by an evacuated space. The vacuum helps to ensure that the liquid inside retains its temperature, and it allows the device to be picked up, even when full of hot tea; no handle is needed. A holder for a little candle can be inserted in the base, so the liquid can be warmed and suffused with light.

Tea is made by removing the lid and pouring boiling water onto leaves held in a special strainer, which is removed to be replaced by the glass lid. Glass tea cups are made in the same material and style: the inner cup supported by a glass cylinder. The device can also be used for cold liquids as well as hot, without the candle of course; the cups make good whisky glasses. A version with slightly etched glass has been made (shown here), and there will be a pint set for beer.

All jury members were impressed with the great thoughtfulness and precision of this piece of industrial design: its elegance, understanding of material qualities and classic calm.