TEAHOUSE

Case Study 04

In Kamishichiken, Kyoto’s oldest historic geisha district, an ongoing project is quietly redefining heritage preservation. A former ochaya—a traditional teahouse where geiko and maiko once entertained guests—is being thoughtfully reimagined into a private family home, breathing new life into its historic framework to house a family's future.

The origins of this historic neighborhood date back to the 15th century, when seven teahouses (Kamishichiken literally translating to "Seven Upper Houses") were built using leftover timber from the reconstruction of the neighboring Kitano Tenmangu Shrine. Historically thriving on the patronage of affluent Nishijin silk merchants, this district has always represented a unique intersection of refined craft and daily community life.

True to the core philosophy of the Kyoto Research Institute, this project completely bypasses the modern, Western-derived role of the "architect." Instead, the entire space is being realized exclusively through the intuitive, hands-on collaboration of two classical master craftsmen: the Daiku (carpenter) and the Sakan (plasterer).

This reliance on pure craftsmanship pays homage to an ancient architectural lineage. In the imperial courts of early Japan, while the masters of earth and plaster were designated as Sakan, the master carpenters who ruled over timber and ink were known as Ukan. By relying entirely on the silent harmony and shared intuition between these two historical pillars—the left hand and the right hand of Japanese design—we are building a highly functional modern home without a single blueprint.

The Second Floor: Preserving the Geiko Legacy in Sharp Lines

The second floor, where vibrant banquets once took place, is being preserved almost entirely in its original layout. Our Ukan (carpenter) is meticulously restoring the structure's characteristic clean, straight lines and traditional room partitions, while the Sakan (plasterer) finishes the walls using only natural materials and heritage techniques. The result is a serene, contemplative space that keeps the memory, rhythm, and living history of the district alive.

The First Floor: Bringing the Outdoors In

In stark contrast to the structured, historical lines upstairs, the first floor has been reconfigured into a striking, modern open-concept living space. Large-scale glasswork and robust, hand-laid stonework run seamlessly through the ground floor, effectively pulling the private garden into the interior. This layout infuses the home with natural light and air, marrying the timeless aesthetic of Japanese spatial design with the open fluidity required for modern family life.

Case Study

True to our research methodology, this home is a perpetual work in progress. It is not a museum piece, but a functional experiment in how traditional craftsmanship can serve our daily lives today. Through daily dialogue and ongoing experimentation right on the job site, we are exploring what it truly means to inhabit a Japanese home in the modern era.