VITRA campus unveils 'tane garden house', an octagonal shed

tane garden house opens at the vitra campus in germany

On the occasion of Art Basel 2023, the VITRA Campus in Weil am Rhein, Germany, unveiled Tane Garden House as the latest addition to its unique architectural ensemble. Tucked between the Umbrella House and Oudolf Garten, the structure is the work of Paris-based studio Atelier Tsuyoshi Tane Architects, taking shape as a compact, octagonal wooden shed that spans 15 square meters and accommodates eight people. In addition to wood, the materials composing the Tane Garden House include granite stone and dried grass enveloping the building exterior. The resulting composition and building form allude to a primitive hut, one where architecture is kept simple, warm, and inviting for visitors.

all images © Julien Lanoo, courtesy VITRA and Atelier Tsuyoshi Tane Architects

a primitive-like shed for gardening and culinary work

Beyond sourcing what was available on site, architect Tsuyoshi Tane teamed up with local craftsmen to build the Tane Garden House at the VITRA Campus using sustainable techniques and resources. Together, they equipped the shed-like structure with a snug interior, fitting it with a toilet, a sink, and a storage space for gardening tools. Topping it is a viewing platform that can be accessed by an outdoor staircase, framing gentle views of the Oudolf Garten, the Umbrella House, and the rest of the Vitra Campus. Outdoors, a coffee corner and a seating spot invite a moment of respite, while a small fountain offers water for irrigation as well as for cleaning boots and utensils. Nearby, the VITRA Campus is building a kitchen garden accessible to its employees. With all these programs set in place, the Tane Garden House ultimately comes to life as a meeting room and workshop space for gardening and culinary activities.

VITRA Campus inaugurated Tane Garden House during Art Basel 2023

learn more about tsuyoshi tane’s work and art basel 2023

In the coming autumn of 2023, a special exhibition at the VITRA Design Museum Gallery will present insights into Tsuyoshi Tane’s inspiring work and his garden house project. You can check out the complete program unfolding at the VITRA Campus in Germany this year by visiting the program website here. For all Art Basel 2023 stories, visit designboom’s page, where we cover all the latest projects coming out of the annually anticipated fair based in the Swiss city.

a primitive-inspired architecture topped with a viewing platform

using sustainable materials and sourcing locally whenever possible

Tane Garden House mainly used as a meeting room and workshop space for gardening and culinary works

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bird's eye view of the Tane Garden House at the VITRA Campus

nestled amid the lush greenery

project info:

name: Tane Garden House

location: VITRA Campus, Weil am Rhein, Germany

client: VITRA | @vitra

architecture: Atelier Tsuyoshi Tane Architects | @ateliertsuyoshi_tanearchitects

concept: Tsuyoshi Tane
project manager: Valentino Pagani
project architect: Shota Yamamoto
team: Val Flanon, Niccolo Passarelli, Emily Jones, Koki Sawada
project management: Christian Germadnik – Vitra
structural engineering: Ingenieurbüro Autenrieth

photography: Julien Lanoo | @julienlanoo

status: ongoing
project period: 2020-2023
built area: 15 sqm
program: garden house