Tokyo and Himeji-based KTX archiLAB’shead architect and founder Tetsuya Matsumoto has recently completed a fascinating wedding venue. with key team members Motoaki Takeuchi and Farid Ziani.
The 245 square-metre (2,637 sq. ft) chapel is part of the La-Vienne Wedding Ceremony Hall located in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan.
The new structure, called Cloud of Luster Chapel, replaces the Aile-Blanche Chapel.
The futuristic new segments create a meandering indoor-outdoor space that leads up to the main chapel.
All white and adorned throughout with soft curves of white glass and glass walls, the one-level chapel accommodates 100 guests who sit on minimalistic, white backless and armless pews.
The happy couple walks to the equally minimalistic altar down an aisle that is lit from below creating a feel of floating on something that is beautiful yet not quite solid.
The cloudlike main chapel is surrounded by water and it also seems to be floating gently and peacefully.
All technical details from air conditioning to sound systems, lights and wiring are hidden in the curved walls giving the entire space an unreal aura of light, reflections, curves and transparency. Tuija Seipell.
Images: Stirling Elmendorf.