ANA CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL HIROSHIMA CHAPEL

A wondrous, sun-dappled chapel

●Concept of total excellence
This is a new chapel that opened in a hotel located in the global tourism city of Hiroshima. Focusing on the fact that this chapel’s birth in the lobby area would make it the face of the hotel and convey its brand message, the design concept was to create a distinctive, unrivalled space. Since this chapel faces the hotel’s courtyard, wooden lattice panels were used to create a wondrous, sun-dappled chapel that is integrated with the garden.

Hiroshima is one of the most popular destinations for overseas tourists to Japan. For this reason, in planning the chapel, we were highly conscious of that fact that we were not simply designing a commercial facility but a space that would let the rest of the world know about Japan’s spirituality, traditional arts and crafts, and its refined workmanship.

●A challenging design
A large tree is the motif of the wooden panel design, called the Power of Flower, which carries the theme of ancestral roots and the prosperity of future generations. Through collaboration with a kimono designer, we were able to associate the various flowers and plants in the design with these concepts by using traditional patterns found in Japanese kimonos. Each wooden panel unit of the chapel measures 2m×1m, and 100 units were used. The 15mm-thick Japanese cypress panels were intricately carved by hand to show the cutwork pattern. Such huge dimension has made this a wooden dome chapel of an unprecedented scale even within Japan. Lighting filtering through the dome’s wooden cutwork casts shadows on the aisle of the chapel like sunlight through the trees, creating an illusion that the couple are being blessed in a sun-dappled forest.

We strive to provide unique and spatial experiences that
stimulate the five senses: beautiful urban skylines, design that lifts
spirits, and unexpected pockets of nature -- all encompassed in a
cocoon of security and safety.

"iF DESIGN AWARD (Germany)"
・Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Kawaramachi Jokyoji | iF DESIGN AWARD 2022

"Design For Asia Awards (Hong Kong)"
・Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Kawaramachi Jokyoji | Bronze Award 2022

"FRAME AWARDS （Netherland）"
・Bank Ngara INdonesia (BNI), Tokyo Branch | Shortlist 2022

"THE PLAN Award（Italy）"
・The BALMUDA The Store Aoyama | Finalist 2022
・Bank Negara INdonesia (BNI), Tokyo Branch | Shortlist 2022
・mixi, Inc. Tokyo Office｜Finalist 2021
・AC Hotel By Marriott Tokyo Ginza｜Shortlist 2021
・HOTEL METROPOLITAN KAMAKURA｜Shortlist 2021
・THE Ritz-Carlton, Nikko Spa & Onsen｜Shortlist 2021

"IDA International Design Awards (USA)"
・The BALMUDA The Store Aoyama | Silver Award 2022
・Bank Negara INdonesia (BNI), Tokyo Branch | Silver Award 2022
・HOTEL METROPOLITAN KAMAKURA | Bronze Award　2022
・InterContinental Yokohama Pier8 | Bronze Award 2021

"Architizer +Awards (USA)"
・Connecting Corridors Between Main & Satellite Buildings of International Airport | Special Mention 2013

"Sky Design Awards (Canada/Hong Kong/Japan)"
・The BALMUDA The Store Aoyama | Bronze Award 2022
・Bank Negara INdonesia (BNI), Tokyo Branch | Shortlist 2022

"Hospitality Design Awards(USA)"
・Hilton Odawara Resort & Spa | Finalist 2016

"Asia Pacific Interior Design Awards (Hong Kong)"
・CHAPTER KYOTO, A TRIBUTE PORTFOLIO HOTEL | Exellence 2022
・Bank Negara INdonesia (BNI), Tokyo Branch | Exellence 2022
・XIV Toba Bettei? WINNER 2016
・Nikken Space Design Osaka Office| Excellence 2015
・Hilton Odawara Resort & Spa| Best10 2015

"LICC (London International Creative Competition) (UK)"
・InterContinental Yokohama Pier8 | Finalist 2021
・AC HOTEL BY MARRIOTT TOKYO GINZA｜Finalist 2020

"Singapore Interior Design Awards"
・Conrad Osaka | Honorable Mention 2017
・Nitto, People & Technology Center; “inovas | Bronze 2016

"Good Design Award (Japan)"
・JR-WEST TWILIGHT EXPRESS MIZUKAZE | Best100 2017
・ITOKI Lobby Chair [Pilem] | 2016
・MIZSEI MFG [Single Faucet | 2016