Architects: Kengo Kuma & Associates
Area: 66 m²
Year: 2015
Project Team: Masafumi Yukimoto, Ayumu Shimotsukasa
City: Nagano
Country: Japan
The Birch Moss Chapel by Kengo Kuma & Associates blends seamlessly into Karuizawa’s birch forest. Steel structures clad in birch trunks mimic the trees, supporting a glazed roof, while glass and acrylic benches enhance their ethereal quality. Moss-covered floors inside and out further integrate the chapel into its natural surroundings, making it nearly vanish into the forest. A heart-shaped artwork by Jean-Michel Othoniel marks the serene approach.
“The designer is the front runner of the trend.”
Interview with Kengo Kuma of Kengo Kuma and Associates
The concept aimed to blend the small chapel seamlessly into the white birch forest of Karuizawa.
Structural bodies made of steel, covered with birch trunks to resemble the surrounding forest trees, were arranged randomly. These elements support the chapel’s glazed roof, while the benches are crafted from glass and acrylic. Moss covers both the interior and exterior floors, effectively allowing the chapel to blend into the birch forest.
A heart-shaped artwork by French artist Jean-Michel Othoniel is positioned along the approach to the chapel.
Project Gallery
Project Location
Address: Nozawahara, Karuizawa, Kitasaku District, Nagano, Nagano Prefecture, 389-0102, Japan
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
