FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Renovation of The Westin Miyako Kyoto Chapel

Katori archi + design associates has completed a major renovation and earthquake retrofit of The Westin Miyako Kyoto Chapel, a separate building on the hotel property. The design expresses the new spirit of Kyoto and can accommodate a diverse range of wedding styles, including conventional church ceremonies, Shinto, and non-religious ceremonies.

The chapel, nestled in the foothills of Kyoto's Higashiyama district, features a wooden ceiling lattice interwoven with indirect lighting, evoking sunlight pouring through the branches of trees. The design showcases the contrast between delicacy and strength through the use of stained, fire-proofed cedar woods and unpolished granite from the mountains of Shodoshima.

The project, which started in April 2019 and finished in April 2020, aimed to create a new space without altering the building’s existing framework. The team overcame challenges related to lighting design and the form and density of the ceiling lattice, replicating light shining between trees, the building’s most distinctive characteristic.

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