Kengo Kuma’s Oribe Tea Pavilion, Syracuse, Sicily.

I stumbled upon this sensitive piece of Japanese design whilst sheltering from the rain in Syracuse, Sicily. Nested in a courtyard at the centre of Ortygia it contrasts dramatically with the baroque surroundings. Originally created by Kengo Kuma in the Mino ceramics Park in Tajimi, Japan in honour of the ceramics artist and master of the tea ceremony, Furuta Oribe (1544-1615).

“The Oribe tea pavilion is one of the most poetic and significant works of Kengo Kuma and demonstrates his special approach to architecture. The pavilion emphasizes the aesthetic yet functional properties of polycarbonate in a special way and shows that multi wall sheets can be used in a radically new manner. Here they have been used by Kengo Kuma to create a space for contemplation in harmony with Zen aesthetics. The intention of this famous architect was to establish a relationship between material and light, creating a feeling of intimacy and seclusion in contrast to the transparency of the shell”.

The Oribe tea pavilion is one of the most poetic and significant works of Kengo Kuma and demonstrates his special approach to architecture.

The pavilion emphasizes the aesthetic yet functional properties of polycarbonate in a special way and shows that multi wall sheets can be used in a radically new manner. Here they have been used by Kengo Kuma to create a space for contemplation in harmony with Zen aesthetics. The intention of this famous architect was to establish a relationship between material and light, creating a feeling of intimacy and seclusion in contrast to the transparency of the shell