Where the Soul Sleeps I-Columbarium by Shunsuke Ohe

Where the Soul Sleeps I-Columbarium by Shunsuke Ohe is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Umklomelo Webhulonzi we-A' Design Award in Ukudizayina Ezokwakha, Izakhiwo Nezinhlaka Competition Category.

IbhulonziEzokwakha· 2025

Where the Soul Sleeps I-Columbarium

by Shunsuke Ohe

Client: Shunsuke Ohe

Umklomelo Webhulonzi we-A' Design Award Winner in Ezokwakha Category

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Colors

The Design

About Where the Soul Sleeps I-Columbarium

I-columbarium ehlanganiswe nethempeli. Yaklanyelwa futhi yakhiwa ngokuhlonipha amasiko aseJapane, edlulisa imiklamo namasu endabuko aseJapane. Into yokuqala oyibonayo lapho ungena esakhiweni isisikhombiso esibonakaliso esinomjikelezo we-ellipse esinobuso obugobileyo obunamasimu amathathu. Sikhanyiselwa yizibani ezigxilile ezifakwe ophahleni nasephansi. Enye into evelele upahla olunamaphaneli okhuni anezigqubu, oluhlonywe ngokukhanya okungaqondile okukipha ukukhanya kuya ophahleni kuvela kuzo zonke izinhlangothi ezine. Futhi kuhlanganisa izakhi zesimanje, okwenza kube umklamo ohlanganisa omdala nomusha.

The Recognition

About the Umklomelo Webhulonzi we-A' Design Award

Where the Soul Sleeps I-Columbarium iwinile uMklomelo Webhulonzi we-A' Design Award, ukwaziswa okuhloniphekile kakhulu okunikezwa imiklamo ephawulekayo eyehlukaniswa ukudala, ubuhlakani nobukhali bengqondo. Abawinile beBhulonzi yimisebenzi enobuchule obukhulu nedala ngokumangalisayo eqinisekisa isipiliyoni esibanzi, umcabango nobuhlakani babaklami babo. Where the Soul Sleeps I-Columbarium ilindeleke ukuba ibe yinto exatshwa kakhulu, edunyiswayo nethandwayo, enobungcweti obuphawulekayo nezinto ezintsha. Lo mklamo owinile uMklomelo Webhulonzi we-A' Design Award uhlanganisa izindlela ezinhle kakhulu ebuciko, esayensi, ekuklameni nasebuchwepheshe futhi uhamba phambili ngenxa yokunaka kwawo imininingwane. Where the Soul Sleeps I-Columbarium iyanelisa izidingo ngokumangalisayo, ithinta izifiso, iheha imizwa futhi ikhanga ukufuna ukwazi.

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 Roof tiles are originally made of clay and cement, but in this project they are made of resin, which makes them lighter and more durable.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