‘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.

takao shiotsuka atelier: ceremony hall 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.

takao shiotsuka atelier: ceremony hall outdoor courtyard image © toshiyuki tano / nacasa & partners inc.

takao shiotsuka atelier: ceremony hall image © toshiyuki tano / nacasa & partners inc.

takao shiotsuka atelier: ceremony hall 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.

takao shiotsuka atelier: ceremony hall interior view of lounge image © toshiyuki tano / nacasa & partners inc.

takao shiotsuka atelier: ceremony hall wedding ceremony hall image © toshiyuki tano / nacasa & partners inc.

takao shiotsuka atelier: ceremony hall ramp and seating image © toshiyuki tano / nacasa & partners inc.

takao shiotsuka atelier: ceremony hall view from the seats image © toshiyuki tano / nacasa & partners inc.

takao shiotsuka atelier: ceremony hall lounge at night image © toshiyuki tano / nacasa & partners inc.

takao shiotsuka atelier: ceremony hall view of the landscape beyond image © toshiyuki tano / nacasa & partners inc.

takao shiotsuka atelier: ceremony hall elevation image © toshiyuki tano / nacasa & partners inc.

takao shiotsuka atelier: ceremony hall image © toshiyuki tano / nacasa & partners inc.

takao shiotsuka atelier: ceremony hall entryway at night image © toshiyuki tano / nacasa & partners inc.

takao shiotsuka atelier: ceremony hall image © toshiyuki tano / nacasa & partners inc.

takao shiotsuka atelier: ceremony hall 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