The Komorebi Pavilion: Designing With Light and Nature
A glass-roofed pavilion designed to capture the dappled light of the garden, creating a space where the indoors and the landscape merge.
The all-glass pavilion sits lightly on the lawn, its transparent structure almost disappearing into the surrounding greenery.
Inside, the play of light and shadow from the overhead trees creates a moving carpet of light on the stone floor, connecting the space directly to the rhythm of nature.
The pavilion's sliding glass doors open completely, removing any barrier between the interior space and the garden path.
Viewed from the main house, the pavilion acts as a glowing lantern in the garden, an inviting destination for relaxation or entertainment.
As evening falls, the illuminated pavilion offers a warm and intimate counterpoint to the deep blue of the twilight sky.
From an elevated viewpoint, the glass roof reflects the sky and surrounding trees, further merging the structure with its environment.
The dappled sunlight on the floor showcases the 'Komorebi' effect that inspired the pavilion's design.
A close-up of the bar counter, where the surrounding garden is visible through the glass walls, making you feel like you are outdoors.
A modern pendant light hangs from the steel roof structure, its form echoing the organic shapes of the garden outside.
The reflection of the garden in the glass roof and walls creates a layered, immersive experience of being in nature.
About The Komorebi Pavilion: Living Within a Garden
The beauty of this pavilion lies in its glass roof and steel structure, which are engineered to manage tropical sunlight while maintaining a completely open feel. When planning a structure like this in a garden, the real challenge is thermal comfort. We use precise orientation techniques to ensure the space remains cool throughout the afternoon, allowing you to enjoy the shifting light patterns without the trapped heat common in glass enclosures.
The Architecture of Light
The Komorebi Pavilion is a study in how architecture can dissolve the barrier between inside and out. Inspired by the Japanese concept of komorebi—the dappled light filtering through tree canopies—the structure uses a transparent glass roof to invite the sky and the surrounding greenery into the living space.
Materiality and Process
We chose materials that age with grace. The Kota stone flooring creates a cool, grounded base, while the steel frame offers a clean, industrial edge that does not compete with the landscape. Every connection detail was carefully thought out, from the steel ladder for roof maintenance to the way the glass partitions slide away to leave the floor entirely unobstructed.
Our process for this project involved deep collaboration with the landscape and structural teams to ensure the canopy felt like an organic extension of the house. We do not believe in static structures. By using operable glass walls, the pavilion transforms based on the weather—fully open on pleasant, breezy days, or a glowing, lantern-like shelter during the evening. If you are looking to add an outdoor living space that functions as an extension of your garden rather than an isolated room, this approach provides a balance of openness and shelter.
Studio Motley
We are Studio Motley, a team that sees architecture as a dialogue between client, craft, and nature. We thrive on mixing raw materials like terrazzo and wood to build spaces that feel alive and deeply rooted in their environment.
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