A vacation home with Japanese style: Summer teahouse
A touch of Old Japan, added to the occidental comforts and convenience you’ve come to expect — that’s the charming summer teahouse design by architect Laurence S. Higgins.
The summer teahouse: How this simple vacation home is built
Into a compact 20 x 24 foot shelter, he’s planned a lot of vacation living with more than the usual luxury. Yet — because fir plywood is used to its fullest economy and most practical application — the Summer Teahouse is meant for those who want to keep costs at a sensible level.
Siding and sheathing is one material — Texture One-Eleven, the grooved fir plywood that provides a pleasing pattern of vertical highlight and shadow. Flooring, roof decking, and built-ins are of fir plywood, too.
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And because Architect Higgins has planned for construction simplicity, the wall sections and roof trusses can be pre-assembled and hauled to the site for easier, faster erection.
Designed with plenty of window area to take advantage of a marine view, the Teahouse can be built on concrete piers, right at the water’s edge. Yet it would be as suitable for a mountain or view location, if that’s your favored site.
This summer teahouse’s floorplan
Designer s eye-view shows how maximum livability can be planned into minimum space. Bath features handy outside entrance. Area behind low couch is for storage, accessible from outside.
The summer teahouse’s design
View of living area shows subtle blend of eastern and western decor.