Architect Shigeru Ban Architects designed a health resort on Awaji Island in Japan. The project features a bridge-like wooden structure suspended over a lush landscape, providing visitors with a Zen experience. At one end of the 90-meter-long structure there is a cantilever with a span of 21 meters. The Zenbo Seinei wellness center, which focuses on meditation and healthy eating, is currently under construction and will open this spring.
The project is located on a lush green site in the north of Awaji Island and is supported by steel columns. The main timber structure was built along the meridian at 135 degrees, which was used to establish Japan Standard Time. The project will feature restaurants and accommodations, while the open-air observation deck will be used as a studio for zazen, a form of meditation. In addition, on the 300-square-meter grounds, the design will include a series of cottages, a café and an open-air bathroom.
The project continues Ban's exploration of timber-frame architecture and has been showcased on projects such as the Swatch and Omega campuses in Switzerland, the Stone Rock House in Japan, or the Aspen Art Museum.