Koto Tea Space Cafe

In order to create a sense of silence and escape from bustling city to enjoy tea, I have applied the Japanese Design Concept, "Sichu no Sankyo", country house in the city. In order to actualize this concept, there is a need to make layers to filter the noise, and making a sequence to escape from public area to private area through the change of spatial volume and materiality.

The main focus of this project is rather than imitating Japanese style, the main focus of this project is to translate the Japanese design concept in a contemporary manner.

I am planning to design a new tea shop with the same owner. I would love to examine another Japanese design concept in more distilled and bold manner, while keeping the mood for the tea.

Shichu no Sankyo is the Japanese design concept which helps to create a sense of escape in the city by applying multiple filters to isolate one from urban set up to rural cozy space. Takanao and the client worked together to find a site where discreet from busy street, and setting ceramic screen and bamboo for offering impactful facade to block views. Above layers helped to actualize the concept in Bangkok urban condition.

The pattern was carefully selected for reflecting a sense of Pan Asian-pattern, easy and stable fabrication, and ability to tessellate 3 dimensionally. The wavy pattern is also allowing a view porosity from inside, blocking light, while allowing some wind to pass through the screen. The pattern is arranged as a result of the wind simulation as well. As 3D printed prototype offer rather mechanical outcome, although each one is casted by hand, Takanao applied blue colored glazing with crystalized irregular pattern which offer more hand-crafted look to give variation in its appearance.

Bangkok is a city where there is a strong focus on creating small universe within private space, thus the city is covered with full of urban pockets. The Koto Tea Space function as one of the urban espace through making a series of layers, "Sichu no Sankyo".