Two entwining spiral stairways form the ribbon wedding chapel in Hiroshima. Designed by Hiroshi Nakamura, NAP. Photo © Koji Fujii / Nacasa & Partners Inc

Kissing Spirals | The Ribbon Wedding Chapel

Two entwining spiral stairways form the ribbon wedding chapel in Hiroshima. Designed by Hiroshi Nakamura, NAP. Photo © Koji Fujii / Nacasa & Partners Inc
Two entwining spiral stairways form the ribbon wedding chapel in Hiroshima. Designed by Hiroshi Nakamura, NAP. Photo © Koji Fujii / Nacasa & Partners Inc

Two entwining spiral stairways form the ribbon wedding chapel.

Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP put a clever twist on the concept of the wedding chapel. Two spiral stairways, embracing each other, form the structure of the chapel.

Two entwining spiral stairways form the ribbon wedding chapel in Hiroshima. Designed by Hiroshi Nakamura, NAP. Photo © Koji Fujii / Nacasa & Partners Inc
“By joining two spiral stairways so that one supports the other, we produced a free-standing structure.” Hiroshi Nakamura

The intertwining pathways of the double spiral enclose the central nave with the altar.

Two entwining spiral stairways form the ribbon wedding chapel in Hiroshima. Designed by Hiroshi Nakamura, NAP. Photo © Koji Fujii / Nacasa & Partners Inc
“Just as two lives go through twists and turns before uniting as one, the two spirals seamlessly connect at their 15.4m summit to form a single ribbon.” Hiroshi Nakamura

The minimalistic construction is composed only of paths, along which sceneries of ocean, mountains, sky, and distant islands successively appear and disappear.

 

Two entwining spiral stairways form the ribbon wedding chapel in Hiroshima. Designed by Hiroshi Nakamura, NAP. Photo © Koji Fujii / Nacasa & Partners Inc
“The bride and the groom climb separate stairways to meet at the top, ask for heaven’s permission to join as one, and declare their marriage. The two, who have lived separate lives, then walk back down the stairway together.”Hiroshi Nakamura