Takasugi-an Tea House by Terunobu Fujimori

Literally, Takasugi-an means a tea house built on high. The cozy tree house is located in the city of Chino, on the Japanese main island of Honshū.

The tea house was built between two chestnut trees. The trees were felled in the nearby forest and transported to the selected location. A freestanding ladder is the only way to get into the cottage.

Tea Masters usually retain complete control of your property, and this is the case here too. Terunobu Fujimori followed this tradition by planning and carrying out the construction himself. The land once belonged to his family, now the Japanese want to live in the house.

The uniqueness of the building was attributed to Fujimori’s interest in architecture.

Large window offers a bird’s eye view of the city

Japanese garden tea house

Daily changes are the norm in small towns like Chino

Cool architecture ideas tree houses

The compact interior was furnished with plaster and tatami mats. Only four and a half mats fit into the available living space. The material and the earth color of the mats appear natural and thus as a natural part of human clothing, says Fujimori. He attaches great importance to the personal, which is reflected in the architecture.

Cityscape in place of Kakemono

The architect emphasizes the personal and everyday in the design

Cast iron teapot

Traditionally, the shoes are taken off when entering. In the simply furnished living area one is looking for serenity and of course – for the perfect way of making tea.

Part of the ordinary Japanese tea house

Imaginative architecture

Takasugi-an tea house