# Traditional Tea Room in Japan Revamped with Modern Materials The six-tatami tea room in Ichihara blends history and modernity. - **Source:** [architecture archives | designboom | architecture & design magazine](https://brifing.si/source/1e716da2-18e6-4704-96a6-818e7860b99f) - **Published:** 2026-08-16 - **Topic:** [Design & UX](https://brifing.si/c/design) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/709b58b2-03f2-4dd6-9bcf-dd357a509855 ## Rebirth of a Historic Space In Ichihara, Chiba, Kurosawa Kawara-ten renovated a six-tatami tea room in an annex belonging to a former family timber business. The project preserves the building's historical traces while introducing new materials and forms that connect with the garden setting. The tea room is used for resting between farming and gardening activities and hosting guests. ## Preservation of Architectural Layers The main house remains a traditional timber structure, while the garden features stone lanterns and carefully placed rocks. The annex has a different architectural character, with prefabricated siding and decorative bricks added over time, reflecting periods of business closure and family relocation. These layers were preserved during the renovation. ## Garden Connection with Glass Addition A glass extension was inserted between the tea room and the garden. This addition creates a defined transition between the tea room and the storage and garage areas. Openings following the roof pitch bring garden views inside. The floor is level with the exterior, facilitating access for the client's mother with limited mobility. ## Historical Ties with Local Materials Material selection is closely tied to the property's history and location. Japanese evergreen oak used for interior and exterior walls was salvaged from nearby felled trees, which would have otherwise been discarded. This material introduces locally sourced timber into the renovation while extending its use within the building. ## Titanium and Steel Details Titanium sheet was chosen for the canopy due to its ability to maintain its appearance for approximately 60 years. Exterior columns are made of Corten steel, which develops a controlled layer of rust on its surface. These materials reference Ichihara's industrial character. ## Traces of Sukiya Architecture Several elements from the tea room's previous configuration were preserved, including a decorative post, perimeter ledge, and sliding entrance door. Studio Kurosawa Kawara-ten arranged new components around these elements according to Sukiya architecture principles, emphasizing precise composition of slender structural lines. ## Reuse of Materials A keyaki plank from the tokonoma alcove was planed and refinished as a shelf, giving an existing component a new function in the renovated room. New cypress beams were treated with an iron mordant to match the color of the existing timber, reducing visual distinction. ## Addressing Japan's Architectural Issue The project offers a solution to a broader issue affecting Japanese residential architecture. Postwar economic boom, business closures, and urban migration have left many homes vacant. This tea room renovation uses material provenance and architectural continuity to adapt the building to its current use while preserving its accumulated history. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.designboom.com/architecture/six-tatami-garden-tea-room-salvaged-timber-titanium-steel-ichihara-japan-kurosawa-kawara-ten/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._