2m26 and Onomiau collaborate on Yachō tea room
2m26 and Onomiau have designed and built a contemporary tea room that takes on an architectural form inspired by natural elements. Developed as part of a commission by Villa Kujoyama, a cultural satellite of the French Institute in Japan, the project is situated in the northern mountains of Kyoto. Drawing from the long history of Sen no Rikyū, a tea pavilion master, the design integrates a tall chimney that emphasizes shadow, silence, and fire as core elements of the space. The structure is defined by its minimal footprint, adhering to traditional tatami dimensions reduced to a compact 95.5 x 64 cm (0.5 ken x 0.3 ken).
all images by Yuya Miki
burning lantern illuminates Yachō, aka Le picabier
Kyoto-based studio 2m26 and practice Onomiau position a lantern above the structure, illuminated by candlelight, marking the passage of time through its shifting glow. Below, an integrated fire pit provides the necessary heat for boiling water. The exterior is clad in burned cedar shingles, referencing traditional techniques of controlled combustion in architecture. The pavilion’s form and materiality establish a connection between ritual, impermanence, and sensory experience, creating a space where fire, shadow, and texture shape the atmosphere.
Yachō tea room by 2m26 and Onomiau blends tradition with contemporary design
inspired by the legacy of Sen no Rikyū, the design embraces shadow, silence, and fire
a lantern positioned above casts flickering candlelight, marking the passage of time