facet studio: tea room

‘tearoom’ by facet studio, osaka, japan images courtesy of facet studio / tomohiro sakashita

olivia shih and yoshihito kashiwagi of facet studio have designed ‘tea room’, a free standing structure located in the courtyard of a family home in osaka, japan.

set among a platform of interlocking stones, the volume hovers above a hole, where the roots of an old tree bearing the family’s name lie beneath.  pine beams span the void, providing structural support and setting the foundation for use and application of material.

‘tearoom’ by facet studio, osaka, japan

overall courtyard view

stacked wooden beams wrap the structure on two and a half sides, sheltering the dwelling and the activities within from neighboring units. i-beams extend up from the ground to frame a sheet of glass on the front facade and then the roof, where the structure is most exposed to sunlight.

(left) looking into the structure from above (right) looking out into the courtyard

a concealed door leads the family inside where the space is treated minimally. the pine beams are left exposed, creating a warm and inviting place that strongly offsets the concrete family home opposite it.

(left) structural detail (right) detail of the framing