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 i Brons in Arkitektur-, Byggnads- och Konstruktionsdesign Competition Category.

BronsArkitektur· 2025

Where the Soul Sleeps Kolumbarium

by Shunsuke Ohe

Client: Shunsuke Ohe

A' Design Award i Brons Winner in Arkitektur Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #172536

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Colors

The Design

About Where the Soul Sleeps Kolumbarium

Ett kolumbarium anslutet till ett tempel. Det har designats och konstruerats med respekt för japanska traditioner och ärver traditionell japansk design och tekniker. Det första man ser när man kommer in i byggnaden är det elliptiska symboliska monumentet med en tredimensionell krökt yta. Det belyses av spotlights installerade i tak och golv. En annan höjdpunkt är kassettaket i trä, som är utrustat med indirekt belysning som avger ljus mot taket från alla fyra sidor. Det inkorporerar också moderna element, vilket gör det till en design som blandar gammalt och nytt.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award i Brons

Where the Soul Sleeps Kolumbarium är vinnare av A' Design Award i Brons, ett högst prestigefyllt erkännande som tilldelas enastående designverk som utmärker sig genom kreativitet, uppfinningsrikedom och klokhet. Bronsvinnare är mycket skickliga och slående kreativa föremål som styrker formgivarnas stora erfarenhet, fantasi och påhittighet. Where the Soul Sleeps Kolumbarium förväntas vara ett högt skattat, beundrat och älskat föremål som är anmärkningsvärt professionellt och innovativt. Detta vinnande verk i A' Design Award i Brons införlivar bästa praxis inom konst, vetenskap, design och teknik och är utmärkt genom sin omsorg om detaljer. Where the Soul Sleeps Kolumbarium tillfredsställer fantastiskt behov, rör vid längtan, charmar känslor och väcker nyfikenhet.

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 Roof tiles are originally made of clay and cement, but in this project they are made of resin, which makes them lighter and more durable.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