Cloud of Luster: A Contemporary Wedding Chapel by Tetsuya Matsumoto

Translating the Spirit of Modern Weddings into Physical Space

The design inspiration for Cloud of Luster was drawn from the contemporary wedding ceremonies in Japan. Matsumoto aimed to create a space that was open, naturally curvy, and filled with light, reflecting the joy and happiness of the occasion. The result is a chapel that feels official, yet smooth and glamorous, spreading the happiness of the moment.

What sets Cloud of Luster apart from other wedding chapels is its unique design and construction. The minimalistic ceiling, free of any technical equipment, is supported by round columns with a hyperbolic cone head. The interior space is enveloped in round glass, opening it to the garden and an outside basin, allowing daylight to fill the space and brighten hearts. The chapel is supported by a metallic frame structure, with all the white parts of the walls, columns, capitals, and ceiling finished in an organic material called Joly-Pat, produced by AICA.

The chapel's design also incorporates a thoughtful approach to interaction and functionality. The outside approach connects the main ceremony hall building to the entrance of the chapel, leading directly to the central aisle and the atrium. On the courtyard side, the approach is elevated using steps like an amphitheater, allowing for group pictures on the sunny side of the court.

The Cloud of Luster Chapel was a project that spanned over a year, starting in December 2017 and ending in March 2019. The challenge was to create a chapel that translated the wedding spirit into physical space without overcharging the image with decoration and colors. The simplicity of this design is a way to engrave a simpler image in people's minds, focusing on the newlywed couple and creating a dreamy space where all can be possible.

This unique design has been recognized with a Platinum A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award in 2020. This prestigious award recognizes world-class, exceptional, and highly innovative designs that showcase unmatched professionalism, genius, and contribute to societal wellbeing. The Cloud of Luster Chapel is indeed a defining aesthetic of an era, advancing the boundaries of art, science, design, and technology, and making the world a better place.