J-Tea International Eugene, Oregon

Portland architect Ben Waechter, has captured local, national and international attention with J-Tea International’s new tea house, in Eugene, Oregon.  Most recently, Waechter received a 2011 Portland American Institute of Architects (AIA) Honor Award for J-Tea, the highest design award granted. Notably, the project has also been covered in DWELL, Gray Magazine and numerous online sources. In October 2011, J-Tea’s building was featured in Delicate: New Food Culture, a book of international food culture and design recently published by Gestalten in Berlin.

Four elements drove J-Tea’s transformation from a small residential bungalow to a modern, visually poignant commercial space, according the AIA jury. “[J-Tea consists of] only four components, each rendered beautifully: The canopy, the porch, the tea-walls and the tea-bar are all equally and carefully considered in relationship to the experience of tea.” White aluminum louvers create a cloud-like canopy above the entryway and the cedar laminate aperture-like opening draws customers in from the street. Inside, patrons can sample tea around a sleek, customized tea bar in space flooded by natural light from a series of skylights. Three tea walls line the interior, featuring colorful packaged tea and delicate tea ware. The AIA jury also noted that, “The plainer quality of the assemblage makes it feel like you are walking through the layers of a painting. [The building is] lively and light with minimal means.”

Ben is a Eugene native and grandson of the late architect Heinrich Waechter who emigrated to the U.S. from Germany in 1941.  As an architect, city planner and educator Heinrich Waechter contributed much to Eugene and other cities across the country. His early career in Germany during the Bauhaus movement and under the mentorship of Bruno Taut allowed him to contribute uniquely as an innovator and modernist.  Ben Waechter continues this tradition of innovation and rigorous design.  After graduating from University of Oregon’s School of Architecture in 1995, Ben went on to work at Allied Works Architecture in Portland, Oregon.  In 1999, he moved to Italy and worked for world-renowned architect Renzo Piano.  Ben was the recipient of the Ion Lewis Fellowship in 2005, which enabled him to immerse himself in Swiss modernism by meeting with leading Swiss architects and touring their buildings.  In 2008, Ben completed his first solo project, the Z-Haus, which won a 2010 Portland AIA design award and was published in Urban Land Magazine, DWELL Magazine and the cover of Oregon Home Magazine. Ben maintains a practice in Northeast Portland and has experience in commercial, residential and cultural projects.

Upcoming Event: Meet the Architect, Saturday November 26, 2-5 pm, J-Tea International, Eugene
Learn about the design principles behind J-Tea’s transformation from a residential house to a modern tea house as well as Ben Waechter’s AIA award-winning residential and commercial projects in Portland. Drop in to meet Ben and sample special release teas from 2-5 pm, with an architectural tour at 3 pm. This is a free event.