SEI-AN Stargazing Tea Rooms: A Tea House Connecting People to the Stars and Nature

Designing a Constellation of Tea Rooms in Bisei, Okayama Prefecture

Moriyuki Ochiai Architects Inc. has created a cluster of tea rooms known as the SEI-AN Stargazing Tea Rooms, located in the town of Bisei, Okayama Prefecture. This unique tea house offers visitors a view of the surrounding scenery and the starlit sky, providing a serene and enchanting experience that connects people to the stars and nature.

The town of Bisei, also known as "beautiful stars" in English, is a sanctuary for stargazing. Surrounded by rolling hills and distant mountains, it offers a breathtaking view of the night sky. Inspired by the town's natural beauty and its connection to the stars, Moriyuki Ochiai Architects Inc. designed a constellation of tea rooms that seamlessly blend with the undulating terrain, creating a landscape where the indoor and outdoor spaces expand harmoniously.

The SEI-AN Stargazing Tea Rooms are not just ordinary tea rooms; they are spatial installations that allow visitors to perceive minute changes in their natural surroundings and experience the wonder and mystery of natural phenomena. Each tea room is painted with stellar colors and features polygonal openings that frame the beautiful offerings of nature, such as light, rain, and the starry night sky. Mirrors placed on the exterior walls reflect the ever-changing outdoor environment, creating a dynamic and captivating visual experience throughout the day.

One of the strengths of this design is the open arrangement of the tea rooms, which forms a stage conducive to various events and activities. The space allows for multiple indoor and outdoor activities, making it versatile and adaptable to different occasions. Whether it's a tea ceremony, a concert, or a play, the SEI-AN Stargazing Tea Rooms provide a unique and immersive setting for a wide range of events.

The construction of the tea rooms involved the use of special painted wood for the ceiling and walls. The specifications of each tea room include a width of 1800mm, a length of 1800mm, and a height of 2100mm. The project began in December 2016 and was completed in January 2018, with the tea rooms located in Bisei, Okayama, and Awajiiland in Japan.

The SEI-AN Stargazing Tea Rooms have garnered recognition and acclaim in the design community. In 2018, the design was awarded the Iron A' Design Award in the Architecture, Building, and Structure Design category. This prestigious award is given to well-designed, practical, and innovative creations that meet professional and industrial requirements. The SEI-AN Stargazing Tea Rooms have been praised for their integration of industry best practices, competent technical characteristics, and their contribution to a better world.

With its unique design and its ability to connect people to the stars and nature, the SEI-AN Stargazing Tea Rooms offer a truly magical and unforgettable experience. It is a testament to the creativity and innovation of Moriyuki Ochiai Architects Inc., who have reshaped the town's panorama and created a space where the boundaries between the indoors and outdoors blur, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the beauty of the surrounding landscape and the wonders of the night sky.