HOME / MajorWorks / TAKENAKA TOPICS / Choraku-ji Temple Zen Meditation Hall
Exterior appearance showing the second floor section extending out using a cantilever frame
| Located in the suburbs of Fukushima, this is the Zen meditation hall of Choraku-ji Temple, a Soto Buddhist Zen school temple, with a history of four hundred years. By attempting to give a new expression to the tradition, as a modern Zen meditation hall in harmony with the existing main hall and the scenery of the temple grounds, an internal and external space with high spirituality has been realized. The white plaster box-shaped second-floor structure, which includes the zazen hall, extends right out using a cantilever frame, creating an open space of the first floor hall that draws in the greenery of the surrounds. Through high side lights, the roof appears to float over the second floor, and with deep eaves, creates the expression of shade and light. Even though the second floor zazen hall is a closed space, the wind from the foliage is drawn in through high side lights and a floor ventilation register. Paving stones have been laid on the front approach that leads up to the main hall of the temple, and with white gravel and plenty of trees, an approach space has been created which draws in the rich greenery. A stairway leading to the second floor zazen hall has been installed in the piloti, and by using a cantilever frame for the stepped floors, the feeling of floating is expressed as you are led to the zazen hall. Before the construction, sufficient temporary plans were made, such as mock-ups of the decorative exposed concrete finish on cedar exterior wall form and the steel frame cast-in footboard stairway, ensuring a high level of precision. |
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