Ribbon Chapel

Positioned midway up a hill, the chapel offers a panoramic view of the Seto Inland Sea of Japan. Mainly designated for hosting wedding celebrations, this chapel is located within the premises of a resort hotel, BellaVista SPA&MARINA ONOMICHI, in Onomichi, Hiroshima.

The aisle leading to the altar can be likened to the trajectory of life and is filled with various recollections and emotions. Therefore we aimed to compose the space with the path itself and to be close to the excitement of the bride and groom and the thoughts of the attendees.

By entwining a pair of spiral staircases, we realized a self-supporting edifice that embodies the act of marriage in its pure form. The nuptial ceremony is performed within this chapel by having the bride and groom ascend the separate staircases to meet at the summit, where they seek absolution from the heavens to unite as one and pronounce their vows. The two individuals who were once walking distinct paths now merge into a single entity at the zenith and subsequently descend the stairs in unison. It is essentially an architecture purely composed of flow of movement.