“Walking through the ocean of stones, full of materiality, one goes up the gently sloping walkway to reach the entrance of the building. Upon entering the interior, a quietly rippling ocean with glimmers unfolds in the darkness.” – Kohei Nawa
On the serene grounds of the Shinshoji Zen Museum and Gardens in Fukuyama, Japan, KOHTEI stands as an architectural dominant, blending art, tradition, and Zen philosophy. Designed by contemporary artist Kohei Nawa and the SANDWICH team, this ship-shaped pavilion is a seamless fusion of craftsmanship and meditative experience.
KOHTEI’s form, inspired by the Shinshoji temple's origins as a memorial for lives lost at sea, is reminiscent of a ship floating on a vast ocean. The structure, covered in traditional wooden shingles, appears to hover weightlessly above an uneven landscape of stones. These unrefined stones, sourced from local quarries, are scattered across the grounds, imitating waves in their texture and play of light and shadow.
Visitors approach the pavilion along a gently sloping path through this ocean of stones, experiencing its raw materiality. The interplay between the sharp-edged stones and the smooth, curving contours of KOHTEI sets the tone for what lies ahead. A small entryway leads into the pavilion, where darkness envelopes the visitor, marking a transition to introspection and sensory immersion.
Inside KOHTEI, a serene water installation takes place. The still surface of the water ripples subtly, reflecting glimmers of light that dance across the darkness. The space is intentionally minimalist and completely pitch black, enhancing the visitor's focus on sound, sight, and the play of movement and stillness. This installation captures the essence of Zen—a contemplation of simplicity, impermanence, and interconnectedness.
The pavilion’s architectural details honor traditional craftsmanship. Its kokera-buki roof, composed of 340,000 cedar shingles, was meticulously crafted by Kyoto’s roofing masters. The ship-like structure, clad entirely in Japanese cypress is achieving a monolithic and harmonious appearance. The design not only reflects the artistry of the past but also integrates it with contemporary sensibilities.
KOHTEI offers a unique experience, uniting art, architecture, and nature into a meditative journey. As visitors move through the pavilion and its surrounding landscape, they are invited to reflect on Zen philosophy and the transient beauty of life.
On the serene grounds of the Shinshoji Zen Museum and Gardens in Fukuyama, Japan, KOHTEI stands as an architectural dominant, blending art, tradition, and Zen philosophy. Designed by contemporary artist Kohei Nawa and the SANDWICH team, this ship-shaped pavilion is a seamless fusion of craftsmanship and meditative experience.
KOHTEI’s form, inspired by the Shinshoji temple's origins as a memorial for lives lost at sea, is reminiscent of a ship floating on a vast ocean. The structure, covered in traditional wooden shingles, appears to hover weightlessly above an uneven landscape of stones. These unrefined stones, sourced from local quarries, are scattered across the grounds, imitating waves in their texture and play of light and shadow.
Visitors approach the pavilion along a gently sloping path through this ocean of stones, experiencing its raw materiality. The interplay between the sharp-edged stones and the smooth, curving contours of KOHTEI sets the tone for what lies ahead. A small entryway leads into the pavilion, where darkness envelopes the visitor, marking a transition to introspection and sensory immersion.
Inside KOHTEI, a serene water installation takes place. The still surface of the water ripples subtly, reflecting glimmers of light that dance across the darkness. The space is intentionally minimalist and completely pitch black, enhancing the visitor's focus on sound, sight, and the play of movement and stillness. This installation captures the essence of Zen—a contemplation of simplicity, impermanence, and interconnectedness.
The pavilion’s architectural details honor traditional craftsmanship. Its kokera-buki roof, composed of 340,000 cedar shingles, was meticulously crafted by Kyoto’s roofing masters. The ship-like structure, clad entirely in Japanese cypress is achieving a monolithic and harmonious appearance. The design not only reflects the artistry of the past but also integrates it with contemporary sensibilities.
KOHTEI offers a unique experience, uniting art, architecture, and nature into a meditative journey. As visitors move through the pavilion and its surrounding landscape, they are invited to reflect on Zen philosophy and the transient beauty of life.
