The Tea House is nestled within a leafy backyard of a suburban home. Constructed of bronze and glass, the new structure references the form of a Japanese lantern and functions as a tea house, meditation space, and stage for the family’s musical recitals. This project recently received a 2010 Washington DC AIA Award of Merit. Photographs and drawings of the Tea House designed by David Jameson Architect following the break.
Architects: David Jameson Architect, Inc.
Location: Bethesda, Maryland, USA
Principal: David Jameson
Project Manager: Christopher Cabacar
Structural Engineer: Linton Engineering
Contractor: RKI, Inc.
Project Area: 180 sqf
Project Year: 2009
Photographs: Paul Warchol Photography
After experiencing the image of the lantern as a singular gem floating in the landscape, one is funneled into a curated procession space between strands of bamboo that is conceived to cleanse the mind and prepare one to enter the object.
After ascending an origami stair, the visitor is confronted with the last natural element: a four inch thick, opaque wood entry door. At this point the visitor occupies the structure as a performer with a sense of otherworldliness meditation.
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- © Paul Warchol Photography
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- © Paul Warchol Photography
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- © Paul Warchol Photography
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- © Paul Warchol Photography
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- © Paul Warchol Photography
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- © Paul Warchol Photography
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- © Paul Warchol Photography
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- © Paul Warchol Photography
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- © Paul Warchol Photography
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- © Paul Warchol Photography
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- © Paul Warchol Photography
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- © Paul Warchol Photography
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- © Paul Warchol Photography
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- © Paul Warchol Photography
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- © Paul Warchol Photography
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- © Paul Warchol Photography
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- © Paul Warchol Photography
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- elevation
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- elevation
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- floor plan
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- site plan
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- model
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- diagram
– this is a totally ridiculous exercise in structural gymnastics. the owner(s) must have won lotto or looking real hard for a tax deduction…
its very pretty but I do not think I can appreciate the cheesiness of the concept. The industrial beams are to obvious to ignore or leave out of the concept; its not floating, but hanging.
The beams are definitely there. Not so sure their presence are being ignored or left out of the concept, though. I appreciate that they reinforce the idea of hanging and the images of a hanging Japanese lantern seem to be evoked as suggested. I’m understanding the notion of “floating” as an allegorical description of the tea house (as a singular object) in relation to the landscape, not a literal description. Beautiful work. Appreciate that a project such as this was realized in the greater Washington, DC metro area which generally has a conservative taste for architecture.