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From Kings Cross to Kyushu
Posted by: Chisa Kono on 11th Sep 2009 in Creative Report
British architects and designers have a long history of making their mark at all corners of the globe. Interior designer Chisa Kono talks about a project that is literally close to home...
What an exciting building this is! I've never seen a building quite like it. It's a temple, designed by Heatherwick Studio, and is scheduled to be built in Kagoshima at the south-western tip of the Kyushu island of Japan. British designer Thomas Heatherwick was commissioned by a the Shingon-Shu Buddhist sect to create the new temple and ossuary.
The design is totally different from a traditional Japanese temple; it is based on the fabric of robes that priests and Buddha wear. Heatherwick discovered these beautiful fabric undulations, and decided to use it as the basis for the temple’s form. It posed a challenge for the designer, due to the nature of translating fabric into architecture. To me, as a designer and someone who was born in Kagoshima prefecture, the design reminds me of ash/smoke from the Sakurajima, which is a volcano and a symbol of Kagoshima. To my way of thinking, the design is very fitting as it sits perfectly with Kagoshima's natural identity.
By coincidence, the temple site at Shiroyama is remembered in strong connection with Kagoshima's history. A Japanese samurai hero, Saigo Takamori, who was the leader of Kagoshima, committed hara-kiri there and 20,000 soldiers were killed there in a huge battle in 1877. This place is therefore of great historical importance and ideally suited to such a monumental building.
Looking at the model, the temple will be amazing; its form seems to give a feeling of infinity. The use of plywood and coloured glass as construction layers, is likely to result in an equally amazing interior. The idea is to use concrete floors which will also compliment the steel typhoon frame, and protect the temple from earthquakes. This corresponds to the specific characteristics of the region; Kagoshima is prone to earthquakes and extremely strong typhoons. These tend to hit the region around summer time on a yearly basis.
The temple is not yet built, and according to Heatherwick Studio the project is currently on hold due to site issues. For me though, the most important thing is that the people of Kagoshima prefecture know and understand the project. For this reason the need to build awareness in Kagoshima on a large scale is the first priority. At the moment comparatively few residents know about the scheme, but as awareness grows it will become a part of the fabric of the community and be seen as more than just a temple - we need to help materialize this fantastic building for our prefecture!
Many thanks to Heatherwick Studio for their cooperation with this article.
Posted by: Chisa Kono on 11th Sep 2009 in Creative Report
British architects and designers have a long history of making their mark at all corners of the globe. Interior designer Chisa Kono talks about a project that is literally close to home...
What an exciting building this is! I've never seen a building quite like it. It's a temple, designed by Heatherwick Studio, and is scheduled to be built in Kagoshima at the south-western tip of the Kyushu island of Japan. British designer Thomas Heatherwick was commissioned by a the Shingon-Shu Buddhist sect to create the new temple and ossuary.
The design is totally different from a traditional Japanese temple; it is based on the fabric of robes that priests and Buddha wear. Heatherwick discovered these beautiful fabric undulations, and decided to use it as the basis for the temple’s form. It posed a challenge for the designer, due to the nature of translating fabric into architecture. To me, as a designer and someone who was born in Kagoshima prefecture, the design reminds me of ash/smoke from the Sakurajima, which is a volcano and a symbol of Kagoshima. To my way of thinking, the design is very fitting as it sits perfectly with Kagoshima's natural identity.
By coincidence, the temple site at Shiroyama is remembered in strong connection with Kagoshima's history. A Japanese samurai hero, Saigo Takamori, who was the leader of Kagoshima, committed hara-kiri there and 20,000 soldiers were killed there in a huge battle in 1877. This place is therefore of great historical importance and ideally suited to such a monumental building.
Looking at the model, the temple will be amazing; its form seems to give a feeling of infinity. The use of plywood and coloured glass as construction layers, is likely to result in an equally amazing interior. The idea is to use concrete floors which will also compliment the steel typhoon frame, and protect the temple from earthquakes. This corresponds to the specific characteristics of the region; Kagoshima is prone to earthquakes and extremely strong typhoons. These tend to hit the region around summer time on a yearly basis.
The temple is not yet built, and according to Heatherwick Studio the project is currently on hold due to site issues. For me though, the most important thing is that the people of Kagoshima prefecture know and understand the project. For this reason the need to build awareness in Kagoshima on a large scale is the first priority. At the moment comparatively few residents know about the scheme, but as awareness grows it will become a part of the fabric of the community and be seen as more than just a temple - we need to help materialize this fantastic building for our prefecture!
Many thanks to Heatherwick Studio for their cooperation with this article.
Comments
Posted by eoin on 13th Sep 2009 08:25 PM
this building sounds incredible!! would love to see it constructed.... Great report!
this building sounds incredible!! would love to see it constructed.... Great report!
Posted by naz on 14th Sep 2009 10:24 AM
This temple will be amazing when build. It sounds interesting and has unique details. It is definitely something that I would like to see constructed.
Well thought report, It explains everything in detail and gives clear idea to reader about the temple and the area around it.
This temple will be amazing when build. It sounds interesting and has unique details. It is definitely something that I would like to see constructed.
Well thought report, It explains everything in detail and gives clear idea to reader about the temple and the area around it.
Posted by B-Newcomb on 14th Sep 2009 03:52 PM
The beaches I visited in Kagoshima are beautiful, and I imagine this temple would be a gourgeous tribute. I would love to visit someday if it moves forward.
The beaches I visited in Kagoshima are beautiful, and I imagine this temple would be a gourgeous tribute. I would love to visit someday if it moves forward.
Posted by mel on 14th Sep 2009 06:33 PM
nice piece of design, would love to visit it.
nice piece of design, would love to visit it.
Posted by Yumi on 20th Sep 2009 11:19 PM
This really is an exciting temple!
I've never seen something like this.
I would definitely visit when it's built!!
This really is an exciting temple!
I've never seen something like this.
I would definitely visit when it's built!!
Posted by Nora on 28th Sep 2009 07:33 AM
This building looks very interesting , i would also love to see it when it is built it seems unreal in the picture, and what a great report Chisa so proud of you.
This building looks very interesting , i would also love to see it when it is built it seems unreal in the picture, and what a great report Chisa so proud of you.
Posted by blackorchid on 28th Sep 2009 10:26 PM
I really hope the plans to carry out this build until completion, come into fruition. It is such a marvelous and complex build, that it would be a great shame for it not to be constructed. I also believe it would be a great asset to Kagoshima, and I would love to visit the temple in the future.
I really hope the plans to carry out this build until completion, come into fruition. It is such a marvelous and complex build, that it would be a great shame for it not to be constructed. I also believe it would be a great asset to Kagoshima, and I would love to visit the temple in the future.
