I’m intrigued… as a huge fan of modern architecture and tea. And as an admittedly biased Japanophile, with a movie collection of anime (favorites being Cowboy Bebop, all the Hayao Miyazaki films with Princess Mononoke at the top, Ghost in the Shell, Ninja Scroll, and classics like Grave of the Fireflies and Akira), lots of favorite Japanese films (like Takeshi Kitano’s Fireworks (Hana-Bi) and Zatoichi, and Akira Kurosawa’s Dreams), and a collection of manga (but only from Blade of the Immortal). So… given my clear bias towards all things Japanese, check out this modern Japanese tea house. I want to live there!
This contemporary structure is largely made from folded sheet metal with floor to ceiling windows, atypical of traditional Japanese tea houses which reject all synthestic materials, even metal & glass. Traditional building materials include bamboo and wood (like oak & chestnut). This modern metal tea house is juxtaposed against the natural beauty of a traditional Japanese garden in Osaka, Japan, but is beautifully matched with sculpted lines and a minimalist essence – modern zen. It was designed by architect Hiroaki Kimura of Ks Architects. Though it’s as small as some kid’s club houses here in the states, this is no deterant for me. So, when can I move in and sip on some sencha?!
photos & story from Trendir – Modern House Designs