A Peak Experience: Cliff Bar Inn and Lounge by Schemata Architect

This inn and lounge bar on a hill on one of the islands in the Seto Inland Sea, Japan, was designed by Schemata Architect. The building is divided into several parts: the main house, teahouse, living room, and dining room of different designs arranged from top to bottom on the slopes facing the Seto Inland Sea in the south.

Dokubo and El Amigo view from below, Photo by Kenta Hasegawa

The owner commissioned Schemata Architect to create two new structures, complementing the existing main house on the hill. These two buildings are an inn for children called 'Dokubo' and a lounge bar space for adults called 'El Amigo'.

El Amigo view from below, Photo by Kenta Hasegawa

Dokubo view from below, Photo by Kenta Hasegawa

The condition of the site, which is located on a hillside and overlooking the sea, made the Schemata Architect team position these two new buildings so as not to hinder the view of the Setouchi landscape from the existing buildings. Therefore, the roofs of these two buildings are aligned with the floor level of the main house's dining room that is behind so as not to hinder the sea view.

Dokubo and El Amigo view from main House, Photo by Kenta Hasegawa

Later, the building was given the name 'dokubo' (remote place) because Schemata Architect was inspired by the image of shukubo (accommodation operated by temples and sanctuaries), in the hope that it would be a place for children to disconnect from the messy world and return to solitude to gain tranquility.

El Amigo interior, Photo by Kenta Hasegawa

Dokubo interior, Photo by Kenta Hasegawa

This building contains five small bedrooms accessible from the main house via a steel spiral staircase (such as going into the ground). The corridor of the building is wrapped in a concrete retaining wall built on the slope, while the bedroom, it is located inside a light wood and steel structure of reddish brown color with full windows on the sea-facing section that can be lifted with a small steel wire pulley system mounted on an overhanging steel roof. 

Dokubo corridor, Photo by Kenta Hasegawa

Dokubo interior bedroom, Photo by Kenta Hasegawa

In the lounge bar El Amigo designed by Schemata Architect, like being in the ground, the underground nature of the lounge is emphasized by rough stone walls with wooden construction and a roof made of FRP. This concept manages to create an atmosphere suitable for enjoying a cozy night atmosphere around the table with the host, and during the day, one can open the window to enjoy the beautiful sea view by getting a soft light reminiscent of the light passing through the shoji screen, this bar lounge is the perfect place to hold a tea ceremony at the ryurei (stand).

El Amigo interior, Photo by Kenta Hasegawa

El Amigo interior, Photo by Kenta Hasegawa