Japanese Treetop Tea House is “Built Too High”

Japanese Treetop Tea House is “Built Too High”
by Bridgette Steffen

The Japanese certainly have a penchant for out-of-this-world tree-top architecture, and this incredible Takasugi-an tea house is no exception. Designed by architect Terunobu Fujimori, the tree-bound tea house stands precariously perched upon the trunks of two timbers erected on a plot of family land in Chino, Nagano Prefecture.

In Japan, tea masters have traditionally maintained total control over their construction of their tea houses. Their main concern for these “enclosures” was simplicity, and in order to keep things simple, tea masters preferred not to involve architects or craftsman to help them with the construction.

Building upon this tradition, Fujimori’s tea house is quite small and compact, and can accommodate four and a half tatami mats (29 sq ft). The architect describes the small building as though “it were an extension of one’s body, like a piece of clothing.” However Fujimori’s main concern is not necessarily the art of tea making, but pushing the limits and constraints of a traditional tea house.

Two chestnut trees were felled on a nearby mountain and brought to the site, where they were used as the supports for the structure - Takasugi-an literally means “a teahouse [built] too high.” Guests must climb a freestanding ladder, which leans against one of the trees, in order to reach the little house. Midway up the ladder, guests must remove their shoes and leave them on the platform.

The interior of the tea house is constructed from simple materials such as plaster and bamboo. Once inside, you can almost forget that you are in a tree house high above the ground due to the serene and calm interior. Three windows frame the views of the surrounding valley and the town in which Fujimori grew up. Visible through the large picture window is Fujimori’s first project, the Jinchokan Moriya Historical Museum. To Fujimori, the tea house is “the ultimate personal architecture,” and that can be seen in his handmade creation set in a landscape he knows well.

Via Dezeen

Photos by Edmund Sumner

LOTTO TURM: Stuttgart’s Shipping Container Skyscraper

LOTTO TURM: Stuttgart’s Shipping Container Skyscraper
by Bridgette Steffen

In the center of Stuttgart, Germany, lies an odd roundabout called Oesterreichischer Platz. Speeding traffic circles around it, and for the last 40 years no one has found much use for it, except as a parking lot. Now German designer Lars Behrendt has conceived of an incredible tower for the unused site that is comprised of 55 shipping containers stacked up like blocks. The Lotto Turm would function as a mixed-use development with a sphere at the top, which would be used to announce the city’s lotto numbers.

The Lotto Turm tower will be constructed of 55 shipping containers stacked on top of each other, and will be designed to include a noise-free courtyard as well as a spiral pathway that circles around the building. Balconies, terraces, and stairs accent the tower from top to bottom, giving the stacked block structure a fantastical quality, and Gardens and plants will accentuate the varied vertical landscape. The public may enter and go all the way to the top of tower for a view of the city through the lotto sphere.

The tower may be used for office space and perhaps even residential apartments. One shipping container will be used as a swimming pool, with a sunning deck right beside it. The description also suggests that local prostitutes may also find a home for themselves here at the Lotto Turm. It certainly is an intriguing building, and its uses and inhabitants are likely to be every bit as interesting.

+ Lars Behrendt

LIGHTS OUT: Earth Hour Goes Global on March 28th!

LIGHTS OUT: Earth Hour Goes Global on March 28th!
by Jorge Chapa

Earth Hour is a worldwide event that encourages individuals to unite in the fight against global warming by turning off their lights and spending sixty minutes outside with friends and family. Over the past two years the simple idea has grown into a monumental movement, and this year’s event is aiming for 1 billion participants. Earth hour 2009 takes place on March 28th at 8:30pm local time, so save the date, flip the switch, and see how this simple individual action can make a profound collective statement!

Organized by the World Wildlife Fund, this year’s Earth Hour is seeking to sign up 1,000 cities and one billion people to participate in the event. So far, they have signed up 1,189 cities across 80 countries. The ferries in Sydney, Australia will sound their horns at 8:30pm, Melbourne will host a pedal-powered concert, percussionists will play in Athens, and in San Francisco the Golden Gate bridge will go dark for one singular hour.

Many of us have had the pleasure of participating in previous Earth Hours, and we can safely say that it is some of the most fun that we’ve had with our lights out. The best part about Earth Hour? It requires your participation. Not bad for a simple idea that began in Sydney.

You can get more information of local events in your area by visiting their website. Those of you who follow us on Twitter may wish to follow them at Earthhour.

+ Earth Hour

The Transforming Movito Electric Scooter

The Transforming Movito Electric Scooter
by Jorge Chapa

The Movito is an eco-friendly electric scooter that recently took top honors in NASA’s Create the future Design Contest. Designed by Tai Chiem, the vehicle is propelled by a carbon-cutting in-wheel electric motor located within a modular base that can be detached to form a two-seat vehicle.

Here at Inhabitat we’re big fans of futuristic prototypes, and any design that has received a NASA award definitely has our attention. The Movito consists of two modular parts - an upper scooter chassis, and a base that provides propulsion via an electric motor and rechargeable batteries. The use of an in-wheel motor allows the scooter’s chassis to be slim, smoothly sculpted, and exceptionally lightweight.

Since the vehicle’s propulsion system is designed as a self-contained unit, two bases can be detached and aligned in parallel to create a two-seater vehicle. The innovative electric scooters are intended for urban use and come complete with a gps system with a touch screen interface.

+ Movito Scooter

Qatar Sprouts a Towering Cactus Skyscraper

Qatar Sprouts a Towering Cactus Skyscraper

by Bridgette Steffen

The Minister of Municipal Affairs & Agriculture (MMAA) in Qatar is getting a brand new office building that takes the form of a towering cactus. Designed by Bangkok-based Aesthetics Architects, the modern office and adjoining botanical dome take cues from cacti and the way that they successfully survive in hot, dry environments.

Qatar is fairly barren, covered by sand, and receives and average annual rainfall of 3.2 inches. Since Qatar has the highest GDP in the world, they can afford to construct spectacular buildings that can be very efficient in the hot desert environment. Aesthetics Architects GO Group decided to model the MMA’s new office upon the cactus, taking inspiration from the way these plants deal with the scorching desert climate.

An excellent example of desert architecture, MMA’s new building is designed be very energy efficient and utilizes sun shades on its windows. Depending on the intensity of the sun during the day, the sun shades can open or close to keep out the heat when it is too much. This is similar to how a cactus chooses to perform transpiration at night rather during the day in order to retain water - another great example of biomimicry. The botanic dome at the base of the tower will house a botanical garden. Hopefully it will include an edible garden and a living machine as well.

Reclaimed Factory Cart Table from Restoration Hardware

Reclaimed Factory Cart Table from Restoration Hardware
by Bridgette Steffen

We love this early 1900’s vintage factory cart, which was once used to transport furniture, fabrics and supplies around a factory floor. Restoration Hardware has restored these fabulous white oak carts and their cast iron hardware for use as a coffee table. The wheels still function, so perhaps you could still use it help transport heavy objects.

Carry Your House on Your Back With Vessel by Justin Gargasz

by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 03.12.09

This truly is the greatest thing since Ron Webb of Archigram's Suitaloon, (shown below the fold)- Industrial and fashion designer Justin Gargasz has developed a jacket that unfolds into a tent. Talk about carrying your house on your back!

Justin calls it "Vessel" and writes:

Individuals feel the need to escape interactions in their environment everyday. Whether it be interactions with excessive technology or other people, this psychological and physical need to get away is where I began my investigation.

If it is too hot, it folds up further into a sling pack.

A physical as well as psychological escape is achieved when the user has the option to efficiently get away from inside of building and come back when ever they choose. I focused on expandable clothing for concept exploration.

Very neat stuff from Justin Gargaz, via Design blog.

Suitaloon, Michael Webb of Archigram, 1968

Amount of Space Required to Transport People by Car, Bus, or Bicycle

by Michael Graham Richard, Gatineau, Canada on 03.12.09

Image: Press-Office City of Müenster, Germany

And That's Just Space...
They say an image is worth a thousand words. In this case, it really is. You can write about urban planning and air pollution and traffic congestion, but the three photos above show you at a glance the difference between these three means of transportation. And space isn't everything: Cars also cost more money, pollute more, increase risks of obesity and all kinds of diseases, etc.

Lottery Tower is Built From 55 Shipping Containers

by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 03.13.09

All images Lars Behrendt

Architect's models used to be as accurate as possible; now that there is computer modelling, they seem to be becoming more expressive and a lot more fun. Lars Behrendt has designed this tower out of 55 shipping containers, evidently for the purpose of choosing the winning numbers of a lottery.

It is in a dilapidated part of Stuttgart that needs some cheering up, being isolated and full of shady characters. The architects write:

Over a period five to ten years, a temporary tower to upgrade the neighborhood, an attractive focal point and create a vibrant, colorful mixed-use development offering a temporary shelter. The temporary nature of the project will lead to the use of shipping containers as construction and space-forming element.

It has many different recreational uses, including a pool, gardens alcoves, "a whole collection of spaces meeting a variety of needs and possibilities.