Birch Moss Chapel / Kengo Kuma & Associates

Birch Moss Chapel / Kengo Kuma & Associates - Image 2 of 7Birch Moss Chapel / Kengo Kuma & Associates - Image 3 of 7Birch Moss Chapel / Kengo Kuma & Associates - Image 4 of 7Birch Moss Chapel / Kengo Kuma & Associates - Exterior Photography, ForestBirch Moss Chapel / Kengo Kuma & Associates - More Images+ 2

Nagano, Japan
  • Project Team: Masafumi Yukimoto, Ayumu Shimotsukasa
  • City: Nagano
  • Country: Japan
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Birch Moss Chapel / Kengo Kuma & Associates - Image 2 of 7
Courtesy of Kengo Kuma and Associates

Text description provided by the architects. Our idea was to obliterate the small chapel into Karuizawa’s white birches.

Birch Moss Chapel / Kengo Kuma & Associates - Image 6 of 7
Courtesy of Kengo Kuma and Associates

 We randomly put up structural bodies made with steel covered by trunks of birch, as though they were the trees in the forest. They support the glazed roof of the chapel, and benches are made of glass and acrylic. We covered the floor with moss inside and outside of the chapel, successfully making the chapel disappear into the birches.

Birch Moss Chapel / Kengo Kuma & Associates - Image 4 of 7
Courtesy of Kengo Kuma and Associates

 On the approach toward the chapel, a heart-shaped artwork by French artist Jean –Michel Othoniel was placed.

Birch Moss Chapel / Kengo Kuma & Associates - Exterior Photography, Forest
Courtesy of Kengo Kuma and Associates

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Project location

Address:Nagano, Nagano Prefecture, Japan

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Birch Moss Chapel / Kengo Kuma & Associates" 11 Mar 2019. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/912713/birch-moss-chapel-kengo-kuma-and-associates> ISSN 0719-8884

Courtesy of Kengo Kuma and Associates

桦树苔藓教堂 / 隈研吾建筑都市设计事务所

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