Kurosawa Kawara-ten Renovates Six-Tatami Tea Room in Ichihara with Salvaged Timber, Titanium, and Steel
In Ichihara, Chiba, Japan, architect Kazufumi Kobayashi has transformed a six-tatami tea room within a former family timber business annex at Kurosawa Kawara-ten. This renovation preserves historical aspects while introducing modern features that enhance the connection to the garden. A glazed structure serves as a transition between the tea room and the storage/garage, complemented by a gabled canopy that extends the rain cover. The design considers the limited mobility of the client’s mother. Existing elements, such as a decorative post and sliding door, are retained, while new additions adhere to sukiya architectural principles. The materials used include salvaged Japanese evergreen oak and Corten steel. This project also tackles Japan's issue of vacant homes, ensuring historical preservation for contemporary use, and is captured by photographer Masato Chiba.
Key facts
- Kurosawa Kawara-ten renovated a six-tatami tea room in Ichihara, Chiba, Japan.
- The project is led by architect Kazufumi Kobayashi.
- The tea room is part of an annex belonging to a former family timber business.
- A glazed volume and gabled canopy were added to connect the tea room with the garden.
- The floor is level with the exterior ground to accommodate the client's mother's limited mobility.
- Salvaged Japanese evergreen oak from nearby felled trees is used for walls.
- A keyaki plank from the tokonoma alcove was repurposed as a shelf.
- New cypress beams are treated with iron mordant to match existing timber.
- The canopy is clad in titanium sheet, designed to last about 60 years.
- Exterior columns are made of Corten steel.
- The renovation follows sukiya architecture principles.
- The project addresses the issue of vacant homes in Japan.
- Photographer: Masato Chiba.
- Project name: Tea Room for N.
Entities
Artists
- Kazufumi Kobayashi
- Masato Chiba
Institutions
- Kurosawa Kawara-ten
- designboom
Locations
- Ichihara
- Chiba
- Japan