Stone Church, A Harmonious Blend of Nature and Architecture
389-0195 Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano Prefecture, Japan
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Introduction
Stone Church, also known as the Kenzo Nara Memorial Hall, is a unique building located in a peaceful forest. Its design concept originates from the philosophy of Kenzo Nara, a thinker in the early 20th century, who believed that "only nature is the true place for prayer". Drawing inspiration from the five basic elements of stone, light, water, greenery, and trees, the design embodies the concept of a "natural church". The architect of the church, Kendrick Kellogg, is an American designer known as the "pioneer of organic architecture" and a disciple of the renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Inspired by the natural environment of Karuizawa, he created this special arched church. The church utilizes a combination of stone and glass construction techniques, with the stone symbolizing strength and the glass representing softness and delicacy. Sunlight shines through the glass, illuminating the whole church and creating different scenes according to the time of day. Address 389-0195 Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano Prefecture, Japan