|
There are 2 typical types
of Shoji. The traditional type has a single grid with framing, paper
applied to only one side. The grid's visible from inside the room, and
from the outside you can see just the paper and shadow of the grid.
Shoji was originally
introduced to Japan from China. The traditional Japanese house is of
timber construction with column and ratters.
Sliding door or panels,
called shoji, are used to create versatile spaces within the house. Any
wall can be an entrance or exit, a window or an open space.
The grid work is called
kumiko in Japanese. It's made from narrow strips of wood which, though
appearing delicate, are quite durable when precision joined and covered
in paper. The surrounding framework that holds the sliding door is also
quite delicate looking. The Japanese build shoji with all parts working
together; westerners tend to build a massive frame that supports the
interior panels. The paper look like natural fiber but it is man made.
It is strong and fire rated.
The beauty of shoji is its versatility. There are many ways we can use
shoji to enhance and revitalize the space we live.
Sliding doors
Window treatments
Cupboard and wardrobe drawer
Fixed and freestanding panel
Illumination
Screens provide a
solution for architects and designers who require a visual screen to
separate two rooms or create a private area within a large room.
The solid timber frames
encompass fibreglass panels that show a tapestry of rice fibres to
produce a screen of sheer elegance. The screens are identical from both
sides, making them ideal as room dividers or entry doors. The
translucent nature of the washi allow seventy percent of light to be
transmitted while still providing total visual privacy.
Shoji screens really add a beautiful Asian elegance to any decor. They
can impose a delicate structure essential for adding warmth to
industrial spaces and provide an alternative to heavy, bulky window
treatments for residential applications. Although our studio is situated
in a wooded setting where privacy is not an issue, Shoji screens still
cover some windows to provide diffused illumination further adding to a
sense of tranquility.
| 
SHOJI SCREEN
