F.A.D.S + fujiki studio create a porous manifold as a japanese tearoom in tokyo

F.A.D.S + fujiki studio created a temporary hut, in shinku-ku, japan, in which they argued that breathing architecture behaves like a ‘living thing‘. the artwork is composed of a nested structure with a two-tatami spaces embedded in the ten-foot square hut that serves as a japanese traditional tearoom. constructed by the architects themselves, the piece was also exhibited in theechigo-tsumari art triennale 2018 in japan, where participants were asked to respond to the theme of how to overcome the concept of homogeneous space.

the architects wanted to create the feeling of breathing when guests entered the space. the many holes or ‘breathing pleats’ open and close according to the movement of people in the hut. this geometry references the creation of a more heterogeneous space. by employing the geometry of a vornoi division, the initially homogenous space gets distorted by the different irregularities creating the bubble-like pattern.

the hut connects its external enviornment to the internal space, and opens and closes as necessary. this creates a building responsive to its surroundings, like living architecture. the hut is made of a hybrid of spruce CLT panels and plastic materials created using digital fabrication.

during the exhibition period, the architects held a workshop inside the hut on how to make japanese sweets for children. in addition, the children had a tea ceremony where they entertained their parents with japanese sweets they made themselves. the open space inside the hut, along with the breathability of its skin, allows for the installation to be an open and verstaile venue for any type of activity. 

project info:

architect: ryumei fujiki, yukiko sato

design firm: f.a.d.s + fujiki studio, kou::arc

team members: yu ohno, seiya ueki, kento watanabe ,yuta kimura, shun takimoto

image credits: masahiro hoshida, fujiki studio, kou::arc