Behind the so unusual and odd architecture, sometimes it can be found a meaning that we are not aware of. If we know part of its history, the design that surrounds it makes more sense.
Ribbon Chapel. Prefecture of Hiroshima (Japan), 2013
Incredible views of Hotel Bellavista Sakaigahama’s garden and Seto Inland Sea
The Ribbon Chapel is a beautiful sample of contemporary Japanese architecture. Its name reflects its symbology because “ribbon” means “bow”. Both spiral stairs, that are linked in unison until they merge in the sky, represent marriage.
From an architectural point of view, this union of both spirals shapes the exterior of the chapel by creating corbels that protect the interior from the sun that comes in through the glass surface.
The spirals create corbels that protect the interior from the sun
Symbolically, the groom and the bride walk separately through the spiral until they meet in the viewpoint. From there, at 15.40m above the ground, they enjoy the incredible views of the Hotel Bellavista Sakaigahama’s garden and the Seto Inland Sea.
Tianzi Hotel, Hebei (China) 2000
The hotel represents the Taoist gods: Fu, Lu and Shou
Three huge men form the architecture of the Tianzi Hotel but, are they simple men? In the Chinese culture, depicting gods is a very common form of paying them respect, and it appears in every aspect of life, even at home.
Even if a hotel is not a permanent home, it’s is indeed a kind of residence. For that, the Tianzi Hotel honours Fu, Lu and Shou, the Taoist gods of happiness, prosperity and longevity, in a way that the architectural splendour of the hotel serves as a tribute to them.
The hotel’s suite is located in the peach that Shou is holding in his hand
The guests check-in in the hotel by Shou’s feet, the same god that is holding a peach in his right hand, the immortality peach, where the suite is located. The rest of the rooms are distributed in ten floors, and their windows are camouflaged among the symbols that decorate the gods’ tunics.
It’s the biggest hotel in the world with such style, and it has the World Guinness Record for being the biggest building photographed in 2001.
Chiayi Temple, Taiwan (2016)
This 17-metres-high gigantic crystal shoe is a building shaped by 320 panels of blue glass. The main objective of this crystal-blue shoe is to attract couples who want to get married.
Its design commemorates the story of the blackfoot disease, a peripheral vascular disease which appeared in the 60s and provoked gangrene in the feet. Women usually had to have their feet amputated, so they couldn’t wear heels at their wedding.
This temple has been built by the Southwest Coast National Scenic Area of Taiwan, an area designated by the central government as a tourist zone. The chapel has 100 pieces of art, which are addressed specially to the feminine public.
It is part of a development plan to host romantic getaways, family outings and marriage ceremonies. The shoe does not even have a name yet, and the SCNAC has organised a competition via its Facebook page.
The Horse team supports such original projects that have a special meaning beyond their being functional architecture.
Traductora: Paloma Sánchez
Incredible views of Hotel Bellavista Sakaigahama’s garden and Seto Inland Sea
