"THE GIFT THAT KEPT ON GIVING."
Location: Hida, Gifu Prefecture, Japan.
Project year: 2016
Project managers: Zac Chapman & Etienne Wijnen
Designed & build by: Kingston University Unit 5
Tutors Jim Reed & Takeshi Hayatsu
Confronted with a 24 hour time limit, restricted materials and unfamiliar tools we had to get the Hida Yatai right at the first attempt. Our meticulous planning produced a design that maximised all of the available components. The finished Yatai was gifted to our hostel who used it as a mobile sake serving point. We used the process as a test bed for our forthcoming Teahouse for the Barican Centre. The clean lines of the hardwood frame depicted a half scale replica of the form. This sat upon legs crafted from natural logs with bark left intact. The two items were joined by four notched hardwood trusses. We assembled the final piece as an installation in front of the FABcafe owners and locals before we presented it to them.
