Custom-Made Japanese Chashitsu Tea House for a Private Garden
Sukiyado was contacted by an established and loyal client to take his already beautiful Japanese garden to the highest level, by creating an authentic Japanese tea house for him and his guests. With a completely insulated construction and Kawara roofing, the garden house is both beautiful and practical throughout the entire year, from summer to winter. Bringing the coziness of home to the Japanese garden.
An important aspect of the project was that the tea house should not only have an authentic exterior, but a fully equipped authentic interior as well. True to ancient traditional guidelines. The client is a well-known collector and expert on Japanese antiques and arts such as Bonsai and Suiseki. So, it was very crucial that the garden house would provide the best location for these pursuits, surrounded by the beauty of Japanese landscaping.
The Design Process
Custom-Made Japanese Chashitsu Tea House Project
A Highly Detailed 3D Design on all Fronts
As usual we first visited our client to get a feel of the location and the environment, and above all take time to listen to the wishes and demands for the project. The sufficient available space provided the ideal opportunity for the Tea House to include all the elements that our client desired such as an Engawa veranda going around the building, fully insulated walls and a roof fitted with authentic Japanese Kawara roof tiles. The roof section on the right side of the house was designed lower than the other section, creating a space in between. This roofing method, known as Manekiyane (招屋根) in Japanese, provides the inside of a building with natural light from above, which is pleasant when pursuing artforms.
Next to the exterior, there was a large focus on the interior of the Tea House, and the high level of authenticity required. In order to achieve this, various traditional set elements were implemented in the design according to long-established principles. A prime example being the Tokonoma (床の間), which is a raised platform that can be used to display arts such as Bonsai, Ikebana, and Suiseki. Underneath and on the right side of the Tokonoma there are traditional drawers and Japanese style floating shelves called Chigaidana (違い棚). In between both sections there is an informal style pillar made of natural looking wood known as the Tokobashira (床柱). The floors are made of wooden planks and can be fitted with Tatami mats for utmost comfort.
The Construction Process
Custom-Made Japanese Chashitsu Tea House Project
A Complex Building Created with Dedication and Expertise
After the design was perfected, our architect planned the presentation together with our client at once. We decided to present the design on location, which always has our preference as this offer a great opportunity to compare the current situation with the exciting future. Our client could not be more impressed with the design, and requested our team to immediately start on the construction process.
This takes us to the Sukiyado workshop. Here, all the separate parts of the building were created by hand, after which the full construction was built in the workshop. Only when to full exterior was finished, could we start on the interior woodwork as the dimensions are required to be very precise in order to reach our high standards of quality and authenticity. Once everything was perfect, the building was deconstructed, and carefully transported to the location of our client. Here the Japanese Tea House was efficiently constructed again according to the prepared plan, under the respected eye of our client.
The Final Results
Custom-Made Japanese Chashitsu Tea House Project
The Japanese Tea House of Dreams
Our client was absolutely thrilled with the completed project. According to him, we perfectly created the Japanese Tea House of his dreams. The high quality of the structure and the exceptionally authentic appearance made the building a flawless extension of the high-end Japanese garden. A true project to be proud of.
The Meaning behind Sukiyado
The name Sukiyado is derived from the Japanese residential architectural style known as Sukiya-zukuri (数寄屋造り). This style is known for its informal aspects and evolved from the more formal Shoin-zukuri style. The word ‘Suki’ means refined taste or elegant pursuits, which perfectly captures the essence of Sukiya-zukuri. With the added suffix ‘Do’, meaning way or path, Sukiyado can freely be translated as ‘The Way of Elegant Pursuits’.
SUKIYADO - Design, Advice, and Realization of Custom-Made Japanese Architecture, Interiors and Furniture.
Zuidwijk 68, 2771 CD Boskoop
Zuid-Holland, The Netherlands
Tel: +31 (0)6 206 75 854
Mail: service@sukiyado.com