TEA SAYINGS
“There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.”
Henry James
“Come, let us have some tea and continue to talk about happy things.”
Chaim Potok
“There is something in the nature of tea that leads us into a world of quiet contemplation of life.
Lin Yutang
“Tea … is a religion of the art of life.”
Kakuzo Okakura
These sayings show us the importance of nature, life and contemplation.
Tea making / drinking is a way of living, it suggests a special atmosphere, that allows people to relax.
My take on this subject is to create from the remains of the existing barn, a place that is frozen in time. With an architecture that highlights the tea in all of its forms. A combination of old and modern that feel like it was there forever.
So how to recreate this feeling with architecture?
TEA & ARCHITECTURE
The first decision was to preserve the walls of the existing barn. The roof was removed because of its “A” frame structure that was too restrictive. Allowing just one space. To be able to include 3 bedrooms, the roof was mirrored, as a “V” frame structure, creating two spaces. An area for sleeping (left side of the right diagram) and a generous double height space for the workshop but also the opportunity to use this height for tea drying. By doing so, it creates a really immersive experience for the tea makers apprentice.
The exterior cladding is a beautiful composition of wood structure, wood louvers but also copper and brass details that highlights and brings some richness to the building.
For the interiors, the wood from the structure set the tone, but a refine combination of timber floors, concrete floors, and plaster walls, aim to create a light and soft atmosphere. The plaster walls stop at 2m creating a cocoon, without having the 3m heavy stone walls. You’ll still see the stone walls as a trace of the past.
Tea making is a crafted art, delicate and precise. The house that I’ve imagined tries to show the same level of craftmanship. Overall the project appears silent and modest. like its program.
This is when Tea meets architecture.
