When Two Become One

The Ribbon Chapel stands tall in the resort garden of “Bella Vista Sakaigahama,” in Onomichi, Hiroshima. Located midway on a hill enjoying a panoramic view of the inland Sea of Japan. The free-standing building of unprecedented composition architecturally embodies the act of marriage. Just as two lives go through twists and turns before uniting as one, the two spirals seamlessly connect at their 15.4m summit to form a single ribbon. At the core of their movement is a chapel where the guest are waiting. On the path to the summit the bride and groom climb separate stairways to meet at the top and declare their marriage. The two, who have lived separate lives, then walk back down the stairway together.

Designed by NAP architects The building’s exterior is finished in upright wood panels, painted white so as to deepen in beauty as time passes and titanium zinc alloy, a material resistant to damage from the sea breeze and pliable enough to be applied to curvature. Employing the zinc alloy on the coping, walls, ceiling, and window sashes enabled a simple design unified by means of a single material. This building is “everything” we love it, however there is no denying it … that’s a fair bit of climbing for any bride on her big day!

 

 

© Koji Fujii / Nacasa & Partners Inc