The idea for a fully glazed traditional Japanese tea house came about in 2002, and the design was presented nine years later. Since then the project has been realised, with the tea house recently being unveiled to the public.
Kou-An is the name of the glass tea house set up at a very special place that offers spectacular views of Kyoto and its surroundings. The work of designer Tokujin Yoshioka, the small building is located at an altitude of 220 metres, directly in front of Seiryuden, the Blue Dragon Hall, on Shogunzuka mountain.
In creating this structure with its glass walls, floor and roof, Yoshioka wanted not only to create a monument to the traditional Japanese tea ceremony but also to underscore the beauty of nature. As he says, "The Kou-An transparent glass tea house enables us to see the essence of nature and trace the origin of cultures peculiar to Japan".
When the sun shines, a prism glass on the roof introduces all the colours of the rainbow into the building at a certain time in the afternoon.
Kou-An will be remaining at its present location until April 2016 and after that is to be moved to other sites around the world. Italy is a possible destination as the glass tea house also marks the 50th anniversary of the sister city exchange between Kyoto and Venice.
Source: My Modern Met
The idea for a fully glazed traditional Japanese tea house came about in 2002, and the design was presented nine years later. Since then the project has been realised, with the tea house recently being unveiled to the public.
Kou-An is the name of the glass tea house set up at a very special place that offers spectacular views of Kyoto and its surroundings. The work of designer Tokujin Yoshioka, the small building is located at an altitude of 220 metres, directly in front of Seiryuden, the Blue Dragon Hall, on Shogunzuka mountain.
In creating this structure with its glass walls, floor and roof, Yoshioka wanted not only to create a monument to the traditional Japanese tea ceremony but also to underscore the beauty of nature. As he says, "The Kou-An transparent glass tea house enables us to see the essence of nature and trace the origin of cultures peculiar to Japan".
When the sun shines, a prism glass on the roof introduces all the colours of the rainbow into the building at a certain time in the afternoon.
Kou-An will be remaining at its present location until April 2016 and after that is to be moved to other sites around the world. Italy is a possible destination as the glass tea house also marks the 50th anniversary of the sister city exchange between Kyoto and Venice.
Source: My Modern Met
