Takanao Todo · CLIENT: Takanao Todo
Koto Tea Space, a tranquil Japanese teahouse nestled in downtown Bangkok, brings the enchanting concept of "Shichu no Sankyo" to life a country retreat within the urban pulse. Concealed by wave-patterned ceramic tiles, the entrance shields from the city's chaos, warding off sunlight and rain. Inside, the Tea Salon boasts 6 seats and 2 tatami areas, offering a peaceful horizontal design reminiscent of Shugaku-in's signature shelf. With a focus on harmony, the existing structure, earthy walls, and natural lacquer-finished furniture unite to create an inviting coziness.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Koto Tea Space is an exclusive Japanese tea House to appreciate and promote authentic Japanese tea in downtown Bangkok.
The entrance of the tea space is covered in wave-patterned ceramic tiles to conceal the tea space from outside while blocking light and rain.
Tea Salon has 6 seats and 2 tatami spaces to relax. Space consists of a horizontal composition with a signature shelf. There is a clear hierarchy of the existing structure, earthy walls, and natural lacquer-painted furniture. - Dimensions & Packaging
- Width 4600mm X Depth 14550mm X Height 3320mm
Ceiling finish, Dark Gray Paint
Wall finish, Beige Texture Paint
Furniture, Solid Ash, and Ash Veneer Plywood coated with a natural lacquer finish
Lighting specification,
Evotechi LINE1616
Evotechi LINE 2507
Evotechi LINE 1701
PhillipsMAS LEDspotLV 3.5-20W 827 MR11 24D
Evotechi RIBBON 2835 4.8W
PhillipsMAS MR16 LED 12V 5.5W 3000K 24D GU5.3 (NO DIM) - Tags
- Japanese Tea, Ceramic, Digital fabrication, Tea Salon, Cafe
- Production Technology
- Ceramic tiles are fabricated from a 3D print mold. There has been a series of prototypes to rationalize the component. Each tile is placed on a slightly different angled metal bracket allowing view and wind penetration simulated in a 3D model. Simple on-site assembly system completed 2 hours on site with precision.
- Design Challenge
- Construction
Working with local contractors made it difficult to communicate design intentions as often they make interpretations or design changes without the designer's approval. Only the frequent visit to the construction site with careful on-site explanation improves the difficulty.
Ceramic Fabrication
Tiles have been modified several times through physical fabrication tests to be finalized. 3 prototype cladding leads to the final design. - Project Duration
- The first design phase of the project started in August 2021 and finished in October 2021 in Bangkok.
The Construction started from 2021 October to 2022 January
Ceramic wall installation in 2022 June
Interior update completed in 2023 July
Location
492 Si Lom, Suriya Wong, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500 - Operation Flow
- Most of the service takes place at the main counter space. Due to the popularity, and limited seats, all seats must be reserved in advance. Frequent workshops take place in the shop to provide a comprehensive understanding of the Japanese Tea Culture. Tatami space is designed to accommodate tea ceremonies, as well as a casual resting area for the customers.
- Research
- The Japanese Design Concept
This project embraces the concept of Sichu no Sankyo. Learning from precedences informs the spatial arrangement of the design.
Thai Ceramic Cladding
Chulalongkorn University granted to develop an environmentally performative ceramic cladding. The team studied precedence from the Thai application of ceramic in cladding and Brise Soleil in Thai modernism architecture. The digital fabrication and computer simulation led to novel expression in Thai ceramic cladding. - Inspiration
- The space is designed with a Japanese design concept, Sichu no Sankyo, a rural hut in the bustling city. There are layers to help escape from ordinary life, from the entrance to a main tea salon and a bathroom for enjoying solitude and silence. There is respect for the classic Japanese architecture for proportion and composition. Important references are from Shugaku-in palace and Tai-an tea house. Tile patterns derive from the pan-Asian motif as a sign of cultural exchange.
- Image Credits
- Image #1, Santawat Chienpradit and Swita Uancharoenkul, Koto Tea Space, 2023
Image #2, Santawat Chienpradit and Swita Uancharoenkul, Koto Tea Space, 2023
Image #3, Santawat Chienpradit and Swita Uancharoenkul, Koto Tea Space, 2023
Image #4, Santawat Chienpradit and Swita Uancharoenkul, Koto Tea Space, 2023
Image #5, Santawat Chienpradit and Swita Uancharoenkul, Koto Tea Space, 2023
Video, Takanao Todo, Koto Tea Space, 2023
Sound, Lalinea, Blue Butter, 2022 - Patents
- n.a.
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