CHRISTOPHER ANDREWS ARCHITECT & TOWN PLANNER

 

FORMULATING A PROJECT LANGUAGE & PROJECT NARRATIVE

 

A CLASSICAL JAPANESE TEA HOUSE & GARDEN

An environmental project language and project narrative is a pattern language which is specific to a particular project.  Each individual pattern describe the solution to an environmental problem.  For example, one of the patterns in the tea house language is the outer gate, which solves the difficulty of creating a transition from a more active exterior space to a quieter more contemplative place.  Each pattern is made up of a smaller set of patterns, and is itself part of a larger set.  (See A Pattern Language and The Timeless Way of Building, by Christopher Alexander et al.).  Environmental patterns can be global, detailed, functional, structural, decorative, interior, related to landscape, or any combination thereof.

The project language or project narrative for a particular building or environment is developed by its inhabitants, in cooperation with planners, architects, engineers and builders.  Each individual sets down in writing the patterns which are critical to them, in as much detail as possible.  The entire project team then combines the individual material into a group narrative.

We are describing a tea house project language as an example of how such a narrative forms the foundation for design.  The classical Japanese tea house and garden is a place of respite and refuge from the outside world. It provides, through the design of its physical environment, and through the process of the tea ceremony itself, a place which inspires spiritual reflection on nature and our place in it-on the structure of the worlds we inhabit and construct.

The formal tea garden follows certain rules for establishing a proper setting for the tea ceremony. The classical tea garden is usually divided into three parts, separated by gates.  They are the outer garden, the inner garden, and the tea house itself.

 

 

Gate from Outer Garden to Inner Garden

 

THE OUTER GATE

The outer or entrance garden is very small and simple. It may be connected to the family home. A short path from the outer garden leads to the middle garden. In the middle garden is a waiting area where there is a bench where the guests arriving for a tea ceremony wait for the host to greet them.

 

 

 

Rock Landscape

 

LANDSCAPE ELEMENTS

This bench, and all of the sitting areas in the garden are designed to have views out onto significant, often miniature, landscape elements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roji and Guide Stone

 

THE GARDEN PATH

From the middle garden a garden path called a roji leads to the tea house. The path is made of irregularly laid stepping stones. It is intended to break the connection with the outside world, to induce a mood of calm, a withdrawal from earthly cares. It is designed to recreate rustic natural beauty through the use of grass, moss, stones, and bamboo. There may be actually several paths leading to the tea house. The host places guide stones wrapped in rope to indicate which path to take.

 

 

Tea House with Stone Lantern

 

 WATER BASIN & STONE LANTERN

Near the tea house is a stone water basin called a tsukubai. Here guests observe the ritual of washing hands and rinsing the mouth before entering the tea house. This symbolizes washing away cares and sins of the world. Close to the basin stands a stone lantern can be lit by a candle for an evening tea ceremony.

 

 

 

 

Tea House Porch

 

THE TEA HOUSE

The tea house itself is designed as simple farmhouse building with a thatched roof. The rooms of the teahouse usually consist of a waiting room, tea room and an anteroom (mizuya) where utensils are washed and stored.

 

 

 

 

Tea House Interior With Small Entrance

 

TEA HOUSE ENTRANCE

The entrance to the tearoom from the outside is through a small opening two feet by one and a half feet. It is purposely placed low so guests have to creep through it.

 

 

 

 

 

Tokonoma

 

TOKONOMA

Just inside the entrance is a tokonoma, an alcove about four by two feet, displaying a picture scroll and a flower arrangement which the guests will examine before taking a seat.

 

 

 

 

Tea Service

THE TEA HOUSE INTERIOR

The interior is designed to hold only a few guests. Tatami mats cover the floors. A hearth is built into these mats, on which an iron kettle is placed. Walls are plaster colored a soft beige. Daylight is subdued and diffused through small windows with grills of bamboo and shoji and sliding panels covered with rice paper.

The hot water is prepared on the hearth. The host places a small quantity of powdered green tea in a ceremonial tea bowl, adds steaming water, and frothes the tea with a bamboo whisk. Tea is served in a small handmade ceramic cups.

 

View out onto Garden

 

 

One discards station and rank when entering the tea house. To ensure the serenity of the visit, one should not discuss politics or work. Other topics that have anything to do with personal glory or vanity are also avoided.

The tea house itself embodies modesty, simplicity, and freedom. Tea rooms have no furniture, and both host and guests sit with their legs bent beneath them in the seiza position on the tatami. The tea house is humble, and it's materials are modest-wood, stone, bamboo, rice paper, thatch. The building settles into the natural landscape, coexisting naturally with the surrounding garden.

 

 

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