The Japanese Tea House Pavilion was commissioned by a client who deeply admires Japanese culture and architecture – his intention was to build a “modifieds Japanese-style teahouse” adjacent to his house overlooking Lake Iosco. The design was realized by architect Esteban Beita, who studied in The University of Tokyo where he obtained a master and doctorate degree in Japanese traditional architecture. In Japan, one of the most important elements before building a structure is assessing the site and view. This is because the space is meant to interact with its environment; every view and opening needs to engage each other to make the space part of nature. Floating above the bedrock overlooking the lake, the Tea House takes in the views of the garden, trees, the lake, the distant mountain and the sky, and is a perfect expression of the concept of “Shakkei” which can be translated as borrowed scenery.
