Bronze Interior Space and Exhibition Design · 2024
Koto Tea Space Cafe
by Takanao Todo
- A' Design Award 2024 Bronze Winner in Interior Space and Exhibition Design
- Awarded April 15, 2024
- CLIENT: Takanao Todo
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 18,750
- Verification code 38F9C848C5 · Verify this award
About Koto Tea Space Cafe
Koto Tea Space, a tranquil Japanese teahouse nestled in downtown Bangkok, brings the enchanting concept of "Shichu no Sankyo" to life a country retreat within the urban pulse. Concealed by wave-patterned ceramic tiles, the entrance shields from the city's chaos, warding off sunlight and rain. Inside, the Tea Salon boasts 6 seats and 2 tatami areas, offering a peaceful horizontal design reminiscent of Shugaku-in's signature shelf. With a focus on harmony, the existing structure, earthy walls, and natural lacquer-finished furniture unite to create an inviting coziness.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Koto Tea Space is an exclusive Japanese tea House to appreciate and promote authentic Japanese tea in downtown Bangkok.
The entrance of the tea space is covered in wave-patterned ceramic tiles to conceal the tea space from outside while blocking light and rain.
Tea Salon has 6 seats and 2 tatami spaces to relax. Space consists of a horizontal composition with a signature shelf. There is a clear hierarchy of the existing structure, earthy walls, and natural lacquer-painted furniture. - Dimensions & Packaging
- Width 4600mm X Depth 14550mm X Height 3320mm
Ceiling finish, Dark Gray Paint
Wall finish, Beige Texture Paint
Furniture, Solid Ash, and Ash Veneer Plywood coated with a natural lacquer finish
Lighting specification,
Evotechi LINE1616
Evotechi LINE 2507
Evotechi LINE 1701
PhillipsMAS LEDspotLV 3.5-20W 827 MR11 24D
Evotechi RIBBON 2835 4.8W
PhillipsMAS MR16 LED 12V 5.5W 3000K 24D GU5.3 (NO DIM) - Tags
- Japanese Tea, Ceramic, Digital fabrication, Tea Salon, Cafe
- Production Technology
- Ceramic tiles are fabricated from a 3D print mold. There has been a series of prototypes to rationalize the component. Each tile is placed on a slightly different angled metal bracket allowing view and wind penetration simulated in a 3D model. Simple on-site assembly system completed 2 hours on site with precision.
- Design Challenge
- Construction
Working with local contractors made it difficult to communicate design intentions as often they make interpretations or design changes without the designer's approval. Only the frequent visit to the construction site with careful on-site explanation improves the difficulty.
Ceramic Fabrication
Tiles have been modified several times through physical fabrication tests to be finalized. 3 prototype cladding leads to the final design. - Project Duration
- The first design phase of the project started in August 2021 and finished in October 2021 in Bangkok.
The Construction started from 2021 October to 2022 January
Ceramic wall installation in 2022 June
Interior update completed in 2023 July
Location
492 Si Lom, Suriya Wong, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500 - Operation Flow
- Most of the service takes place at the main counter space. Due to the popularity, and limited seats, all seats must be reserved in advance. Frequent workshops take place in the shop to provide a comprehensive understanding of the Japanese Tea Culture. Tatami space is designed to accommodate tea ceremonies, as well as a casual resting area for the customers.
- Research
- The Japanese Design Concept
This project embraces the concept of Sichu no Sankyo. Learning from precedences informs the spatial arrangement of the design.
Thai Ceramic Cladding
Chulalongkorn University granted to develop an environmentally performative ceramic cladding. The team studied precedence from the Thai application of ceramic in cladding and Brise Soleil in Thai modernism architecture. The digital fabrication and computer simulation led to novel expression in Thai ceramic cladding. - Inspiration
- The space is designed with a Japanese design concept, Sichu no Sankyo, a rural hut in the bustling city. There are layers to help escape from ordinary life, from the entrance to a main tea salon and a bathroom for enjoying solitude and silence. There is respect for the classic Japanese architecture for proportion and composition. Important references are from Shugaku-in palace and Tai-an tea house. Tile patterns derive from the pan-Asian motif as a sign of cultural exchange.
- Image Credits
- Image #1, Santawat Chienpradit and Swita Uancharoenkul, Koto Tea Space, 2023
Image #2, Santawat Chienpradit and Swita Uancharoenkul, Koto Tea Space, 2023
Image #3, Santawat Chienpradit and Swita Uancharoenkul, Koto Tea Space, 2023
Image #4, Santawat Chienpradit and Swita Uancharoenkul, Koto Tea Space, 2023
Image #5, Santawat Chienpradit and Swita Uancharoenkul, Koto Tea Space, 2023
Video, Takanao Todo, Koto Tea Space, 2023
Sound, Lalinea, Blue Butter, 2022 - Patents
- n.a.
Colors of Koto Tea Space Cafe
Design Interview about Koto Tea Space Cafe
In order to create a sense of silence and escape from bustling city to enjoy tea, I have applied the Japanese Design Concept, "Sichu no Sankyo", country house in the city. In order to actualize this concept, there is a need to make layers to filter the noise, and making a sequence to escape from public area to private area through the change of spatial volume and materiality.
The main focus of this project is rather than imitating Japanese style, the main focus of this project is to translate the Japanese design concept in a contemporary manner.
I am planning to design a new tea shop with the same owner. I would love to examine another Japanese design concept in more distilled and bold manner, while keeping the mood for the tea.
It took roughly 3 years to have the current condition of the tea space, and there were 3 phases in design. 1st year, the first interior renovation. 2nd year, an addition of the ceramic screen. 3rd year, an addition of the tatami space, and change in a display.
I am engaging with the Thai Japanese Tea community, and the owner was one of the member in the community. This shop manage to boost the trend in Thailand for a new standard for the Japanese Tea Space in Bangkok.
I would like to build the relationship with the same client to develop the sequel with application of other design concepts.
As myself is also a tea enthusiast, practicing Japanese tea, and making tea bowls, this project came naturally.
I respect the idea of "eternal modernity". I have made some design and proportional reference from classical Japanese tea spaces such as, Shugaku-in palace, and Tai-an by Rikyu.
Thai upper middle customers who seeks for new experiences. I am wishing that this boosting the new Thai culture.
This tea space is designed utilizing the design concept. Many similar services copy the style. There is a significant difference.
Koto means Japanese harp, which the owner possesses the antique Koto in prior to the design, and the owner took the name from it. Koto is also an essential element in Japanese Sencha Tea culture as well.
Most of the design work was done in Rhinoceros
Interpretation of the Japanese Design Concept rather than imitation.
I have collaborated with several designers. lighting designer, ambiguous lighting from Singapore advice the lighting design, Mo Jirachaisakul worked on the ceramic cladding production, and Sojorn Design Studio for constructing the additional tatami space.
Ceramic cladding at the exterior was produced using 3D print mold, and digital simulation to determine the arrangement of the tiles.
The ceramic cladding arrangement was determined by the light path, wind flow, and visual porosity simulations. It was the Chulalongkorn University research grant project, and later the academic journal was released based on the performance of the screen.
The first challenge was the original structure which was not in a good condition, therefore a major restoration was needed. The second challenge was the constructors who do not follow the design instruction, thus frequent site visit was needed to communicate with them beyond the language barrier. And the last challenge was to have the simultaneous communication with the client to align the vision together.
It is my first interior work, and it is also important for this tea space to be recognized not only as a Japanese tea space, and the interior space with a design thought.
I would improve on finding more reliable contractor, which I found later in the design stage. It is also important to make a better alignment of the vision together with the client.
not applied
Grand Interview about Koto Tea Space Cafe
Shichu no Sankyo is the Japanese design concept which helps to create a sense of escape in the city by applying multiple filters to isolate one from urban set up to rural cozy space. Takanao and the client worked together to find a site where discreet from busy street, and setting ceramic screen and bamboo for offering impactful facade to block views. Above layers helped to actualize the concept in Bangkok urban condition.
The pattern was carefully selected for reflecting a sense of Pan Asian-pattern, easy and stable fabrication, and ability to tessellate 3 dimensionally. The wavy pattern is also allowing a view porosity from inside, blocking light, while allowing some wind to pass through the screen. The pattern is arranged as a result of the wind simulation as well. As 3D printed prototype offer rather mechanical outcome, although each one is casted by hand, Takanao applied blue colored glazing with crystalized irregular pattern which offer more hand-crafted look to give variation in its appearance.
Bangkok is a city where there is a strong focus on creating small universe within private space, thus the city is covered with full of urban pockets. The Koto Tea Space function as one of the urban espace through making a series of layers, "Sichu no Sankyo".
Takanao won research grant from Chulalongkorn University to develop a cladding system reflecting environmental performance found in Thai-modernism architecture, and design from traditional Thai ceramic cladding system. The research helped Takanao to develop a pattern which is environmentally performative yet reflecting Pan Asian design feature to update Thai Cladding design.
For the durability, and cost efficiency, Takanao selected affordable method which still allow to create a sense of unity. Therefore the wall was covered with textured paint, instead of earth-wall. Signature shelf was made with timber stain. Meanwhile, the main counter is made with Japanese Pine wood with natural lacquer to create a focus for the users.
Takanao is aiming to design a total work of art by achieving design from a sense of touch to a space of architectural space. Takanao as a ceramicist, he offers tea utensils to be used in the cafe, and creating signature ceramic cladding entrance. Takanao as an architectural designer, he considers overall composition of space, use of material, sequence, as such. In Koto Tea Space, there was a good blend between both approaches.
Takanao and the client wanted to create an exclusive Japanese tea experience from the initial design sketch. Therefore Takanao tried to maximize the customer experience by offering good view to tea serving and the signature shelf. Tatami space is a flexible space where allowing to hold tea ceremony, art display, performances, or else low table seats when needed. As both spaces are facing the corridor, it allowing easy access for the customers.
In last 20 years, consuming high-end beverage become popular in Thailand, and Japanese tea become significantly popular beverage for young Thai people followed by the specialty-coffee. This tea space challenges applying design concept of tea rather than imitating Japanese-look to contribute for architectural design approach in emerging tea culture in Bangkok.
For creating a mood for Japanese Tea Space, there must be an interplay of dark-ness, filtered light, and earthy and wooden appearance. Takanao worked with lighting designer to apply series of diffused light to high-light the counter, products, tea serving and some symbolic spaces in a controlled manner. Incoming natural light from the street is filtered by the bamboo and the ceramic screen to make layered light.
Japanese tea culture has more profound cultural layer as Sencha associating with aspiration to Classical China, and Matcha associating with Zen as self-reflection. These ideological layer in Japanese tea offers various potentiality to associate with contemporary urban living as Classical China and Zen are still relevant in a way of living. Meanwhile, rather than imitation, essential concept latent in each ideology shall be resonate with the design.