takao shiotsuka atelier: ceremony hall

‘ceremony hall’ by takao shiotsuka atelier in oita-city, japan
all images courtesy takao shiotsuka atelier
image © toshiyuki tano / nacasa & partners inc.

‘ceremony hall’ by japanese practice takao shiotsuka atelier is a small venue for a private wedding
adjacent to an existing banquet hall in oita-city, japan. housed within a curved form with a
pinched middle, the design accommodates a small lounge and a wedding hall for forty guests in two,
organically-shaped rooms.

fly-by view
image © toshiyuki tano / nacasa & partners inc.

in close dialogue with a pre-existing structure which houses a banquet hall, the design curves
outwards to wrap around a small outdoor courtyard. from here, a set of large, low-lying windows
placed at either sides of the lounge provides visual access to the wooded landscape beyond,
as well as connects the interior space with the courtyard outside. a winding path leads visitors to
and from the banquet hall, fully integrating the annex structure into the program.

outdoor courtyard
image © toshiyuki tano / nacasa & partners inc.

image © toshiyuki tano / nacasa & partners inc.

window into the lounge
image © toshiyuki tano / nacasa & partners inc.

the single entrance opens up to a tapering lounge space which is abundantly lit with natural daylight.
as requested by the client, the hall exhibits a dramatically contrasting atmosphere, referencing a ‘cavernous’
feel at the deep end of the structure. the exceptionally private room is circumscribed by a continuous wall
surface that visually extends the sense of space beyond its perimeters. subtly ramped in a rotated motion,
seating is arranged as protrusions from the curved wall and a stepped down, L-shaped bench.
a small skylight focuses light on to the center of the layout where the couple will be wed.

interior view of lounge
image © toshiyuki tano / nacasa & partners inc.

wedding ceremony hall
image © toshiyuki tano / nacasa & partners inc.

ramp and seating
image © toshiyuki tano / nacasa & partners inc.

view from the seats
image © toshiyuki tano / nacasa & partners inc.

lounge at night
image © toshiyuki tano / nacasa & partners inc.

view of the landscape beyond
image © toshiyuki tano / nacasa & partners inc.

elevation
image © toshiyuki tano / nacasa & partners inc.

image © toshiyuki tano / nacasa & partners inc.

entryway at night
image © toshiyuki tano / nacasa & partners inc.

image © toshiyuki tano / nacasa & partners inc.

floor plan
(1) approach
(2) entrance
(3) lounge
(4) wedding ceremony room
(5) courtyard
(6) banquet hall

project info:

architect: takao shiotsuka
structural engineers: oga structural design office
area: 115 m2