We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Takanao Todo about their original and creative Cafe design work. Takanao Todo is an award-winning architectural designer, that makes our world a better place with their original cafe works.
Takanao Todo ("TT") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Koto Tea Space Cafe. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
TT : 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.
TT : 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.
TT : 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.
TT : 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.
TT : 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.
TT : I would like to build the relationship with the same client to develop the sequel with application of other design concepts.
TT : As myself is also a tea enthusiast, practicing Japanese tea, and making tea bowls, this project came naturally.
TT : 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.
TT : Thai upper middle customers who seeks for new experiences. I am wishing that this boosting the new Thai culture.
TT : This tea space is designed utilizing the design concept. Many similar services copy the style. There is a significant difference.
TT : 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.
TT : Most of the design work was done in Rhinoceros
TT : Interpretation of the Japanese Design Concept rather than imitation.
TT : 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.
TT : Ceramic cladding at the exterior was produced using 3D print mold, and digital simulation to determine the arrangement of the tiles.
TT : 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.
TT : 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.
TT : 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.
TT : 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.
TT : not applied
