a Japanese cultural icon in the heart of old Tbilisi

 

In Tbilisi, design studio NAO has transformed an historical Georgian ruin into a Japanese teahouse, fusing the charms of two distinct cultures into one. Preserving the structure’s innate charm, the team retained much of the exterior’s original character, including its distinctive 5.8-degree lateral tilt, from which Teahouse 5.8 derives its name. A design workshop was convened, bringing together local Georgian architecture students and emerging architects. Over the course of two weeks, the collaborators brainstormed ways to preserve the traditional Georgian environment while incorporating Japanese cultural elements.

NAO transforms a historical georgian ruin into a traditional Japanese teahouse
all images courtesy of NAO

 

 

nao bridges two rich cultural aesthetics for teahouse 5.8

 

With minimal interventions to preserve the structure’s historic charm, studio NAO inserted a horizontal level which was layered with cement by local workers — a nod to both Georgian history as well as Japanese minimalism aesthetics. Sustainability was additionally a key consideration, with the design team utilizing materials from the demolition process to construct the sub-floor, sub-wall, and sub-ceiling. Within the teahouse, the existing old brick wall was accentuated with the soft glow of LED strip lights, while traditional Japanese Tatami floor mats were imported to the site.

 

‘As a result of the transformation, the old empty ruin has turned into a cultural exchange space between Japanese and Georgian people. The whole process of the renovation was a meaningful exchange activity too, and now it is functioning as a community hub among neighbors through a Japanese tea ceremony,’ notes lead designer Nao Tokuda.

nao transformed a historical georgian ruin into a japanese teahouse in the heart of tbilisi 3
a historical Georgian ruin transformed into a Japanese teahouse

NAO transforms a historical georgian ruin into a traditional Japanese teahouse
cement layered by local workers to complement the traditional Georgian character

 

 

NAO transforms a historical georgian ruin into a traditional Japanese teahouse
introducing a Japanese cultural icon into the heart of old Tbilisi with a nod to Georgian cultures

NAO transforms a historical georgian ruin into a traditional Japanese teahouse
Tatami floor mats were imported from Japan

NAO transforms a historical georgian ruin into a traditional Japanese teahouse
the existing old brick wall is emphasized with LED strip lights

NAO transforms a historical georgian ruin into a traditional Japanese teahouse
the existing exterior was retained

NAO transforms a historical georgian ruin into a traditional Japanese teahouse
set in the heart of old Tbilisi

 

 

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project info:

 

name: Teahouse 5.8

location: Tbilisi, Georgia
designer: NAO

lead designer: Nao Tokuda

collaborator: local Georgian architecture students and young architects

 

 

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: ravail khan | designboom