"How can architecture support those enduring deep grief?".

This was the guiding question for architect Hiroshi Nakamura when he designed the Forest Chapel, located at the non-denominational Sayama Cemetery.

The design draws inspiration from the traditional "gassho-zukuri" (合掌造り) style—an architectural form characterized by steeply sloped roofs, resembling hands pressed together in prayer. Just as a person’s hands create a small, sheltered space in a gesture of prayer, the chapel’s structure evokes warmth, protection, and a sense of shared prayer with those inside.

The roof is composed of hand-bent aluminum tiles, crafted in partnership with skilled artisans from Kawaguchi. Each of the 21,000 tiles was manually shaped, with a thickness of 4mm—chosen to balance durability with the flexibility needed for precise curvature.

The floor of the chapel slopes gently toward the altar by just one centimeter, subtly encouraging visitors to move forward, facing both the altar and the surrounding forest. In a thoughtful nod to nature, the building was designed to tilt slightly away from the trees to avoid cutting any down, ensuring harmony between the structure and its natural environment.

Watch a video of the chapel here: view

Name: Sayama Forest Chapel / 狭山の森 礼拝堂
City: Tokorozawa, Saitama prefecture
Address: view the address
Architect: Hiroshi Nakamura&NAP
Year: 2013


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