burned cedar shingles clad slender tea pavilion in kyoto by 2m26 and onomiau

2m26 and Onomiau collaborate on Yachō tea room

2m26 and Onomiau have designed and built a contemporary tea room that takes on an architectural form inspired by natural elements. Developed as part of a commission by Villa Kujoyama, a cultural satellite of the French Institute in Japan, the project is situated in the northern mountains of Kyoto. Drawing from the long history of Sen no Rikyū, a tea pavilion master, the design integrates a tall chimney that emphasizes shadow, silence, and fire as core elements of the space. The structure is defined by its minimal footprint, adhering to traditional tatami dimensions reduced to a compact 95.5 x 64 cm (0.5 ken x 0.3 ken).

all images by Yuya Miki

burning lantern illuminates Yachō, aka Le picabier

Kyoto-based studio 2m26 and practice Onomiau position a lantern above the structure, illuminated by candlelight, marking the passage of time through its shifting glow. Below, an integrated fire pit provides the necessary heat for boiling water. The exterior is clad in burned cedar shingles, referencing traditional techniques of controlled combustion in architecture. The pavilion’s form and materiality establish a connection between ritual, impermanence, and sensory experience, creating a space where fire, shadow, and texture shape the atmosphere.

Yachō tea room by 2m26 and Onomiau blends tradition with contemporary design

inspired by the legacy of Sen no Rikyū, the design embraces shadow, silence, and fire

a lantern positioned above casts flickering candlelight, marking the passage of time

the tall chimney serves as a focal point, emphasizing verticality and atmosphere

the integrated fire pit provides warmth and the means to boil water

the pavilion’s compact form creates a meditative retreat within nature

the project reflects a balance of simplicity, materiality, and spatial awareness

traditional tatami dimensions are reduced to create an intimate, minimal space

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a sculptural approach to tea culture, shaped by natural elements

the structure stands as an homage to traditional tea pavilions, reinterpreted in a new form

the design creates a sensory experience through warmth, light, and enclosure

the architecture explores impermanence through its shifting light and material textures

plan

section

elevation

elevation

project info:

name: Yachō, aka Le picabier
designer: 2m26 | @deuxmetresvingtsix – Onomiau | @onomiau

location: Kyoto, Japan

design team 2m26: Mélanie Heresbach, Sébastien Renauld

design team Onomiau: Noël Picaper

client: Villa Kujoyama, Institut Français de Kyoto

black tatami: Mitsuru Yokoyama
photographer: Yuya Miki