Mountaineer’s Tea Set
October-November 2025
Duration: 5 weeks
Project Description:
Choose a traditional drink from any culture. Choose a situation or event. Design a coffee or tea set to the specifications of the chosen situation. I chose Masala Chai and the summit of a mountain after a hike, respectively.
Project Goals
A few details I focused on during the design process were the texture and color of materials, overall product weight, compactness, and ease of use. I desired a functional, aesthetic, and usable tea set that could serve multiple purposes on a long and vertical hike.
Total number of components: 28
Materials used: Black stainless steel, bead-blasted aluminum, silicone, wood veneer
Total weight: 13.02 lbs.
The Hike
JOURNEY MAPS
The Drink on The Hike
The Drink
2D IDEATION
Key developments:
heat-resistant materiality
Thermos-style containers
choice between pot or pan
multi-materiality
stackable?
2D EXPLORATION
Key developments:
introduction of materiality
initial idea of a “handle” for pan/pot (above)
each design includes at least one enclosed component
3D EXPLORATION
Cardboard models to define shape, size, and usability
Black stainless steel: used for all components that could come into contact with direct flames due to heat resistance
Bead-blasted aluminum: used for all other metal components to keep weight down while providing a contrasting texture to steel
Silicone: used as an insulator as well as a protective surface for components while stored
Walnut wood: used as a veneer for aesthetics and to pull in the environment around the user
FINALS
Bristol paper models of final design direction
Components include: pan, heat shield, strainer, cup, and Sterno can (heat source)
MATERIALITY
FINAL 3D MODELS
How To Use
disassemble the kit
set up the heat shield over the lit Sterno can
detach the end of the hiking stick and lock it into place as the pan handle, then set the pan on top of the heat shield
combine ingredients for the tea, beginning with the milk and water mixture stored in the bottle
pour the tea into the cup through the strainer, being sure only to touch the silicone grip of the handle
Customization
hardware is customized to enhance functionality, usability, and efficiency
the heat shield is designed to nest inside the pan when in the kit
the strainer fits both perfectly around the Sterno can when stored and inside the cup when in use
the mini bottle is large enough to hold all the necessary liquid for the tea, but small enough to fit inside the kit when disassembled
