Birch Moss Chapel / Kengo Kuma and Associates

Birch Moss Chapel / Kengo Kuma and Associates - Forest, ColumnBirch Moss Chapel / Kengo Kuma and Associates - Forest, GardenBirch Moss Chapel / Kengo Kuma and Associates - Forest, GardenBirch Moss Chapel / Kengo Kuma and Associates - ForestBirch Moss Chapel / Kengo Kuma and Associates - More Images+ 2

Nagano, Japan
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Birch Moss Chapel / Kengo Kuma and Associates - Forest, Column
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 and Associates - Forest
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 and Associates - Forest, Garden
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 and Associates - 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 and 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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