ryuichi ashizawa architects: chapel in hiromine, himeji hyogo

chapel in hiromine, himeji hyogo by ryuichi ashizawa architects image courtesy ryuichi ashizawa architects all photos © kaori ichikawa

ryuichi ashizawa architects recently completed a renovation project of an old public hotel in japan. situated a few kilometers from the center of himeji city and near the top of mt. hiromine the location provides views of the city including himeji castle that is  also world heritage listed.

the project was divided into 2 steps. the first step was the renovation of the old hotel based around the theme of the 5 senses.  for the second step, the construction of a new chapel was built. they inserted a chapel inside constructed from wooden material from around the site. shaped in a trapezoid plan the chapel has an opening to the south-side of the hotel. the pattern of lattice for the wall is a  traditional japanese motif of a hexagon, this also allows natural sunlight into the chapel.

image courtesy ryuichi ashizawa architects

image courtesy ryuichi ashizawa architects

exterior of the chapel inside the hotel image courtesy ryuichi ashizawa architects

view at night image courtesy ryuichi ashizawa architects