Tea Room ADU near completion
Tea Room ADU near completion
A rare garage conversion with good bones! The owners had a nice old garage they wanted to convert to provide work related out-of-town guests a place to stay, to cokes out-of-town parents to extend their visit to watch a young grandchild, and during quite times, use as their own creative studio. The existing garage was converted into living space, bathroom and a modest kitchen. A small addition jots out from the kitchen space, hovering under an existing red bud tree on a bridge-like structure not to disturb the root. This hovering room is just enough for a person to quietly read/write, nap, or in special occasion, entertain guest with tea. The space is like a miniature spaceship tethered to everyday life but halfway into another dimension. Similar to how the traditional Japanese tea house feels.
Core Architectural Features
Nijiriguchi (Crawl-through door): A famously small, low entranceway requiring guests to bow to enter. This symbolizes humility and the idea that all guests are equal, regardless of social status outside the room.
Tokonoma (Alcove): A raised, recessed section of the wall displaying a seasonal calligraphy scroll and a simple flower arrangement
Tatami Mats: The room's size is measured by the number of tatami mats covering the floor. The traditional and most common layout is 4.5 mats. (roughly 9'x9')
Mizuya (Preparation Area): A small, attached anteroom or space where the host prepares the utensils, cleans the tea bowls, and readies sweets prior to the ceremony.
Surrounding Environment
Roji (Garden Path): A carefully curated garden path leading to the tea house that mentally prepares the guest for the ceremony.
- Tsukubai: A low stone water basin placed along the path, allowing guests to wash their hands and rinse their mouths to symbolically cleanse themselves of worldly worries before entering.