The concept emerged from early conversations between Studio Nada Debs and de Gournay. It became apparent that the founders of both houses shared parallel journeys shaped by travel along the Silk Route, where exposure to different cultures, rituals, and craftsmanship informed the foundations of their practices. What connected both brands was not only a reverence for the handmade, but an understanding of design as something formed through exchange, dialogue, and movement across geographies.

From this observation, the project was conceived as a contemporary teahouse and majlis, a space rooted in hospitality and conversation that reflects the kinds of encounters and cultural exchanges historically unfolding along these routes. The installation translated this narrative into an immersive environment where Middle Eastern and Far Eastern spatial languages, materials, and craft traditions coexist, positioning the space itself as a metaphor for cultural dialog.