Located in Balboa Park, the 4,245 SF Inamori Pavilion is a giant step forward toward recreating the original 1915 Japanese Tea Pavilion in Balboa Park. The new Pavilion features a versatile 300-seat, multipurpose space, an office, a kitchen, restrooms and a garden viewing deck which overlooks a Koi Pond.
The exterior design of the building is derived from the traditional Japanese architectural design called “Sukia Style” which originated around 1500 in the Kansai area of Japan with the tea master Sen-no-Rikyu ‘s tea ceremony pavilion.
The relationship between the surrounding garden and the building is a vital component in Japanese architecture. The attached deck is called engawa and is used to enjoy the view of the pond, waterfall and garden. The LEED Silver design project was in conjunction with landscape architects Dennis Otsuji of ONA Landscape Architects and Dr. Takeo Uesugi.