Architecture

Beautiful, spiralling chapel wins 2015 Leaf Awards

Beautiful, spiralling chapel wins 2015 Leaf Awards
The Ribbon Chapel is a graceful and sculptural wedding chapel
The Ribbon Chapel is a graceful and sculptural wedding chapel
View 18 Images
The Ribbon Chapel is a graceful and sculptural wedding chapel
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The Ribbon Chapel is a graceful and sculptural wedding chapel
The Ribbon Chapel comprises two spiral staircases that begin at separate points
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The Ribbon Chapel comprises two spiral staircases that begin at separate points
The Ribbon Chapel's two staircases slowly spiral upward to join in an observation platform at the top of the building
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The Ribbon Chapel's two staircases slowly spiral upward to join in an observation platform at the top of the building
The Ribbon Chapel is located in the picturesque grounds of a hotel overlooking the Inland Sea of Japan
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The Ribbon Chapel is located in the picturesque grounds of a hotel overlooking the Inland Sea of Japan
The Ribbon Chapel was entered in the Hospitality Building of the Year category of the Leaf Awards
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The Ribbon Chapel was entered in the Hospitality Building of the Year category of the Leaf Awards
The Ribbon Chapel was designed by Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP Co.
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The Ribbon Chapel was designed by Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP Co.
On the observation deck, the bridge and groom can have a moment together as they overlook the beautiful surrounding scenery of the water and the islands
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On the observation deck, the bridge and groom can have a moment together as they overlook the beautiful surrounding scenery of the water and the islands
Once a wedding ceremony has taken place, the bride and groom can ascend the two separate staircases and meet at the top
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Once a wedding ceremony has taken place, the bride and groom can ascend the two separate staircases and meet at the top
The staircases spiral up the side of the building
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The staircases spiral up the side of the building
Ascending the staircases provides views of the surrounding area
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Ascending the staircases provides views of the surrounding area
Windows look out of the chapel from the vertical spaces in between the spiraling staircases
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Windows look out of the chapel from the vertical spaces in between the spiraling staircases
Ascending the staircases separately gives the bride and groom a moment for solitary reflection
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Ascending the staircases separately gives the bride and groom a moment for solitary reflection
Large expanses of glazing are used to fill the chapel with natural light
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Large expanses of glazing are used to fill the chapel with natural light
The spiraling staircases provide a striking architectural feature from inside the chapel
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The spiraling staircases provide a striking architectural feature from inside the chapel
There are view out across the Inland Sea of Japan from inside the chapel
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There are view out across the Inland Sea of Japan from inside the chapel
Large expanses of glazing are used to fill the chapel with natural light
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Large expanses of glazing are used to fill the chapel with natural light
The inside of the chapel reaches right up to the observation deck
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The inside of the chapel reaches right up to the observation deck
The high ceiling of the building gives a sense of grandeur
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The high ceiling of the building gives a sense of grandeur
View gallery - 18 images

The winners of this year's Leaf Awards have been announced. The annual awards seek to recognize innovative architectural design across a variety of categories. The overall winner was is Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP Co. for its Ribbon Chapel project.

The Ribbon Chapel is in stark contrast to last year's overall winner. Sydney's One Central Park residential complex is dripping with greenery and sustainable technology, not to mention that it sports a dramatic 110-tonne (121-ton) heliostat.

The Ribbon Chapel, however, comprises two spiral staircases that begin at separate points and slowly wind upward to join in an observation platform at the top of the building. It is located in the picturesque grounds of a hotel overlooking the Inland Sea of Japan. The joining of the staircases is symbolic of marriage.

The inside of the chapel reaches right up to the observation deck, giving a sense of grandeur. In addition, the building is wrapped in large expanses of glazing so as to fill the chapel with natural light.

The spiraling staircases provide a striking architectural feature from inside the chapel
The spiraling staircases provide a striking architectural feature from inside the chapel

Once a wedding ceremony has taken place, the bride and groom can ascend the staircases and meet at the top. From here they can have a moment together as they overlook the beautiful surrounding scenery of the water and the islands. Guests, meanwhile, can look on from the gardens.

The Ribbon Chapel was entered in the Hospitality Building of the Year category of the Leaf Awards, where it also won the overall award. There were 15 categories in total, the winners of which can all be viewed on the Leaf Awards website.

The winners were announced at an event in London, UK, on Oct. 16th.

Sources: Leaf Awards, Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP Co.

View gallery - 18 images
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