The Warp, a 3D-Printed Japanese Teahouse Made of Recycled Wood

At the latest edition of Dubai Design Week, Japanese architecture studio Mitsubishi Jisho Design unveiled The Warp, a new sort of tearoom. Made from recycled wood using an extrusion 3D printing technique, this installation showcases an innovative approach called “Regenerative Wood”. This process covers the entire production cycle, from design to the realization of architectural elements and furniture, and is developed within their design studio and laboratory dedicated to wood.

The Warp is a structure combining traditional Japanese wood craftsmanship and 3D printing techniques. The installation consists of almost 900 individual panels, each fashioned from recycled wood powder, a material derived from wood processing waste. These elements were then assembled using an ancestral Japanese carpentry method.

A Fusion of Traditional Craftsmanship and Modern Technology

As explained earlier, they have developed an innovative approach called Regenerative Wood, which uses the sawdust waste generated by traditional construction methods. By combining these wood residues with PLA, they produce a filament used for 3D printing. This process makes it possible to create new structures and objects, giving a second life to these by-products from the manufacture of cross-laminated timber.

The design studio created the tearoom using 3D-printed modular wooden tiles. Each tile, unique in shape and branding, is interlocked with the others, like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, to create a sturdy structure. Easy to assemble and dismantle by hand, this method makes the tearoom convenient to transport and reinstall elsewhere. The process is inspired by traditional Japanese techniques, where wooden joints replace nails and screws to form elegant, durable structures.

“The Warp is more than just a pavilion, it is a statement about the future of architecture and design,” explains architect Kei Atsumi, who collaborated with Motoya Iizawa to design the structure. “By blending ancient carpentry with modern 3D printing, we have created a new language of architectural expression.”

Presented at Dubai Design Week, this teahouse invited visitors to discover Japanese tradition through an immersive tea ceremony. Inspired by classic pavilions, it takes up the idea of the nijiriguchi, a small opening traditionally used as an entrance. However, The Warp is distinguished by a more open design, reminiscent of a funnel. The designers’ aim was to create a welcoming space, while offering panoramic views of Dubai’s urban landscape.

What do you think of The Warp? Let us know in a comment below or on our LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter pages! Don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly Newsletter here, the latest 3D printing news straight to your inbox! You can also find all our videos on our YouTube channel.

*All Photo Credits: Mitsubishi Jisho Design