Where the Soul Sleeps Kolumbarium by Shunsuke Ohe

Where the Soul Sleeps Kolumbarium by Shunsuke Ohe is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award an Bronze in Architektur, Gebai an Strukturdesign Competition Category.

BronzeArchitektur· 2025

Where the Soul Sleeps Kolumbarium

by Shunsuke Ohe

Client: Shunsuke Ohe

A' Design Award an Bronze Winner in Architektur Category

13,604

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #172536

Visit Site View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Where the Soul Sleeps Kolumbarium

E Kolumbarium dat un en Tempel ugebaut ass. Et gouf mat Respekt fir japanesch Traditiounen entworf a gebaut, andeems et traditionell japanesch Designen an Technike ierft. Dat éischt wat ee gesäit wann een an d'Gebai erakënnt ass d'elliptesch symbolescht Monument mat enger dreidimensionaler gebogener Uewerfläch. Et gëtt vun Spotlights beliicht déi un der Plafong an um Buedem installéiert sinn. En anere Highlight ass déi hëlzen Kassettendecke, déi mat indirekter Beliichtung ausgestatt ass déi vu alle véier Säiten Liicht Richtung Plafong ofgëtt. Et integréiert och modern Elementer, wat et zu engem Design mécht dat Aalt an Neit vermëscht.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award an Bronze

Where the Soul Sleeps Kolumbarium ass e Gewënner vum A' Design Award an Bronze, enger héich prestigiéiser Unerkennung, déi un erausragend Designe vergi gëtt, déi sech duerch Kreativitéit, Erfindungsgab a Schlauheet ausgezeechnen. Bronze-Gewënner si voll Fäegkeet a opfälleg kreativ Wierker, déi déi grouss Erfahrung, d'Fantasie an d'Ressourceréichtum vun hire Designer bestätegen. Et gëtt erwaart, datt Where the Soul Sleeps Kolumbarium e héich geschätzt, bewonnert a beléifte Géigestand ass, bemierkenswäert professionell an innovativ. Dëst mam Bronze ausgezeechent Design integréiert déi beschte Praktike vun der Konscht, der Wëssenschaft, vum Design an der Technologie an zeechent sech duerch Opmierksamkeet fir Detailer aus. Where the Soul Sleeps Kolumbarium erfëllt Bedierfnesser exzellent, beréiert Wënsch, bezauberet Gefiller an erweckt Neigierecht.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: Not only traditional construction methods and materials are used, but also modern ones are combined. Roof tiles are originally made of clay and cement, but in this project they are made of resin, which makes them lighter and more durable. This is a very important point in Japan, where earthquakes are common. I would also like to point out that fire resistance has also been improved. While reflecting traditional elements that have been passed down in Japan for a long time, the performance of the building itself has been greatly improved.
Dimensions & Packaging: Site area : 295.90 sqm / Total floor area : 104.72 sqm / Category : Columbarium
Tags: Japanese-style architecture , Plaster , Coffered ceiling , monument , Storehouse-style building , LUSTYdesign , Shunsuke Ohe
Production Technology: Exterior finish // roof : Plastic roof tile / eaves : Stained Wood / Exterior walls : Plaster , Stained Wood / Floor : Porcelain tile , Natural Stone
Interior finish // Ceiling : cloth , Natural wood / Wall : cloth / Floor : Porcelain tile , carpet
Design Challenge: It can be seen that the design was created with respect for traditional Japanese architectural styles and with sincerity to bring comfort to the hearts of the dead and visitors. It makes you realize that it is not enough for an architect to simply design a building in a self-centered and rational way; what is important is the feeling with which he designs it.
Research: The columbarium is a place where you can reunite with loved ones who have departed for the afterlife. Here, you can always reunite with your loved ones. The fantastical production inside the building makes you think so.
Perhaps you can communicate with the dead here.
Every aspect of the interior, including the ceiling height, finishing materials, colors and patterns, dimensions of each part, and lighting plan, has been carefully and meticulously designed.
Inspiration: This project is the construction of a columbarium attached to a temple. The building is designed based on traditional Japanese architectural style, but with a modern essence. Respecting Japanese tradition, designs and techniques handed down since ancient times are used in even the smallest details inside and outside the building.
Project Duration: Project Duration : From August 2022 to December 2023
Project location : Osaka(Japan)
Operation Flow: Although the design appears traditional at first glance, it also incorporates modern elements. When you enter the building, the first thing that catches your eye is the semi-elliptical monument. Spotlights shine from the ceiling and floor, creating a beautiful world with diffused light. It is as if a barrier separates the world of the living from the world of the dead. Visitors are soothed by the sight. The ceiling is a dynamic coffered ceiling, and indirect lighting is lit around it, gently illuminating the space with a high-quality feel.
Image Credits: Photograph : HIROSHI TANIGAWA by ToLoLo studio