The wedding chapel in the garden of the Bella Vista Spa and Marina Hotel in Hiroshima is a profound metaphor for marriage.

Two spiral staircases, starting from different points and intertwining at a height of 15.4 meters, symbolize two separate life paths coming together as one. This form is made possible by layering the two staircases over each other — while one staircase alone would be unstable, together they support each other, creating a balanced structure that stabilizes both horizontal and vertical movements, functioning like a three-dimensional hoop.

Architect Hiroshi Nakamura sought to express the process of two individuals, with their unique experiences, uniting in marriage, while emphasizing the importance of mutual support in relationships through architecture. It seems he was pleased with the result, as he chose to hold his own wedding ceremony there.


Name: Ribbon Chapel / リボンチャペル
City: Onomichi, Hiroshima prefecture
Address: view the address
Architect: Hiroshi Nakamura
Year: 2013


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