TEA PAVILION || Japanese Design Meets Nature in a Stunning Waterfront Tea Pavilion in the Czech Republic
The Pavilion is a serene and elegant structure that invites visitors to immerse themselves in nature's beauty. This stunning construction is designed to focus visitors' attention on the surrounding water reservoir, providing uninterrupted views of the placid surface, gentle sounds, and peaceful movements of water. It is a perfect place to slow down, relax, and escape the bustle of everyday life.
The pavilion's interior is designed to comfortably accommodate up to six people, sitting face-to-face around the table during the tea ceremony, which enhances the intimacy of the ceremony. The design draws inspiration from traditional Japanese interior, but with a modern touch, creating a harmonious and delicate blend with the environment.
The simple design opens to the water to take in the serene view.
The pavilion accommodates six people sitting face-to-face for an intimate tea ceremony.
Several traditional tea ceremony rules are incorporated into the final design, enhancing the authenticity of the experience. Visitors must bend down to pass under the lowest horizontal beam of the structure, symbolizing the equality of all participants in the ceremony. The low table in the center of the pavilion invites visitors to sit on their knees, as is customary in Japanese culture. The structure's lower part is stiffened with plywood boards to provide privacy and detachment from exterior noises. The open entrance frame allows passers-by to see the tea ceremony in progress, adding to the pavilion's charm.
The Pavilion is a multifunctional structure, suitable not only for tea ceremonies but also as a summer pavilion for relaxation and contemplation. The square-shaped floor plan is intentionally simple, depicting the symbol of matter and man. The pavilion's raw wooden elements are complemented by a soft fabric, creating a cozy yet minimalist ambiance that does not distract from the ceremony's peacefulness and harmony.
The perfect spot for relaxation and contemplation. The fabric adds privacy and shelter from the weather elements while maintaining a connection with nature and offering non-traditional views.
This beautiful structure is based on a plan area of 3 x 3 meters, with a height of 4 meters, which is the maximum permitted height. The raw wooden elements are combined with birch plywood, spruce floor planks, and roof geotextile. The diagonal fabric adds privacy and protection from weather conditions such as sun and rain, while the frame structure remains airy and open enough to maintain a connection with the exterior and create non-traditional views. The textiles in two levels bring a certain playfulness to the pavilion, evoking traditional Japanese architecture.
The Pavilion is the perfect destination for nature and tea ceremony lovers. Its stunning architecture and tranquil ambiance make it an ideal location for an intimate experience with nature, bringing visitors' focus to the water reservoir and the surrounding environment.
The tea pavilion glows at night like a beacon with minimum light pollution in its surroundings.
The pavilion at night.
PROJECT DETAILS
Studio: GRAU architects
Author:
Andrej Olah
Filip Marčák
Jana Filípková
Alexandra Májska
[article edited by Florence Leung - Pendulum Magazine]
Project Country: Czech Republic
Completion Year: 2022
Gross Floor Area: 22m2
Co-author [students, workshop participants]: Julia Kurnik, Alicja Łosik, Alexandra Gospodarek, Katarzyna Owczarska, Maria Pawłova, Maciej Kuratczyk, Michał Teodorczyk, Jan Chmurski
Client: Mood for Wood
Photographer: Matej Hakár
