Situated within the dense forest of Qiyu County, this cemetery features a community hall positioned centrally on a slope overlooking the city. Though the site boasts stunning natural scenery, the design intentionally avoids openness to preserve privacy. As a result, the building is fully enclosed, creating an intimate and secluded atmosphere. The functional rooms occupy the core, constructed with concrete, surrounded by a tourist lounge and restaurant, while the outer areas remain relatively open.
The building is encircled by a tranquil pond that mirrors the nearby Narrow Mountain Lake. To maintain the natural landscape’s purity, parking and other intrusive functions were removed from the surroundings. The resulting structure is a slender, delicate ring supported by robust steel columns and beams, with a wooden roof frame seemingly suspended above. The eaves stand just 1.35 meters high, resembling a circular top hat.
This architectural design offers two distinct landscapes that shift according to the visitor’s perspective. Standing visitors can take in the expansive natural scenery, including lush green trees and blue skies reflected on the lake’s surface, along with the rooftops of nearby buildings. Massive steel roof beams tilt towards the lake, guiding visitors’ eyes through the windows. Beneath one window, a feather-like chair is built into the wall, inviting visitors to bend down and sit, accommodating the low ceiling.
The building encourages visitors to pause and rest. When seated, guests enjoy views of the Narrow Mountain’s peaks and forests, with the city lying peacefully in the distance beyond the windowsill. The contrast between the bustling activities outside and the forest’s tranquility is striking. Gentle breezes ripple the lake’s reflection, while visitors experience the warmth and closeness of the timber beams firsthand.
Visitors look up at the wooden beams as sunlight filters gently through the surrounding trees. After fully immersing in the narrow mountain’s natural beauty, this space leaves a lasting impression. The timber-framed architecture fosters a sense of intimacy, guiding visitors’ movements and reflecting their actions. The rooftop space integrates seamlessly with the trees, enclosed by tall windows that invite sunlight and fresh breezes inside.
The trees above the roof act as a natural shield. In summer, their dense branches and leaves soften the sunlight, creating a gentle ambiance. During winter, they allow warm sunlight to penetrate, warming the interior spaces.
The building features a ring of slightly tilted windows, with the highest point at the waiting room. Inside, there is a rhythmic flow created by sloping walls that draw visitors further into the space. This design also promotes natural ventilation: cool lake air enters from below, while warm sunlight filters through the tall windows.
Design Drawings
△ Plan View
△ Section Diagram
Project Information
Project Type: Cemetery
Location: Saitama, Japan
Architectural Firm: Nakamura Taki Architectural Firm & NAP
Area: 483 m²
Year: 2013
Photographers: Koji Fujii/Nacasa and Partners, Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP
Structural Design: Ove Arup & Partners Ltd.
Contractor: Matsui Kensetsu K.K.
Textile Coordination: Yoko Ando
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