Royal Roads University unveiled its newest addition to the Hatley Park grounds: a hand-crafted Japanese teahouse. The teahouse provides a serene venue on campus where formal tea ceremonies and special gatherings can occur.
Designed and built by renowned landscape architect Hayato Ogawa and a team of supporting consultants and contractors, the sustainably sourced Douglas Fir structure features sliding doors, high open ceilings, white screen panels and uses natural sources for heating and cooling.
The new teahouse is nestled in the southwest corner of the Japanese Gardens and is designed to blend in seamlessly with the natural style and aesthetic created by original garden designers Isaburo Kishida and Tadashi Noda. Visitors to the teahouse will have a view of century-old trees, rolling hills of green grass and a tranquil pond.
The establishment of the teahouse was made possible through the generosity of lead donors and local community members Ira Hoffecker-Sattler and Matthias Hoffecker, who wished to support the gardens they love.
"We wanted to help with the restoration of the Japanese Gardens, and, in particular, to support the creation of the teahouse as a new element in the renovated gardens," they said. "It is with great joy that we witness the revitalization of the Japanese Gardens as a place to leave daily life behind and just be in the moment. In this world, we find it important to help provide a space of contemplation, tranquility and healing as part of our legacy."
In addition to its beauty, the teahouse is a venue for education and cultural appreciation.
"The Japanese Teahouse provides space for experiential and cultural learning for students, faculty, staff and visitors to campus, " Philip Steenkamp, president of Royal Roads University.
"The opportunity to experience tea ceremonies and learn about Japanese culture is a welcome addition," he adds.
Visitors to campus can view the teahouse when they visit the gardens. The teahouse will operate in the spring, summer and fall seasons. For information on upcoming events visit the Hatley Park Gardens website.
Thanks to the generous support of local philanthropist Andrew Beckerman and RRU Alum Eve Martin and spouse Paul, every donation to the teahouse through the university's Vision in Bloom appeal is currently being matched, dollar-for-dollar. Those interested in supporting the teahouse can do so by visiting the Vision in Bloom website.
The Japanese Teahouse and the Bloom Castle By the Sea are among the first gifts to be announced towards the university's most ambitious fundraising campaign Leading with Courage. The campaign will harness the power of local and global communities to find solutions and connections that transform lives and the world.
Learn more about the Japanese Teahouse.
