Simulating the softness and aliveness of a paper curtain flapping away in the wind, a steel ribbon screen mysteriously encloses the amazing paper characters of the Nebuta festival.

aomori nebuta house by molo is a unique, sculptural building on the waterfront of Aomori City in Northern Japan. Twelve meter tall steel ribbons form a playful screen that encloses the ‘home’ of the giant paper characters of Aomori city’s Nebuta festival. Nebuta, is one of Japan’s largest festivals and chariot parades of oversized paper-made figures of heroes, demons and animals from history and myth.

The new building dedicated to the Nebuta allows visitors to experience the skilful craft of the Nebuta Artists at work all year. It also provides spaces for archives and exhibitions about the history of the festival.

Centrepiece of the project is the impressive ribbon screen of the facade, made of manually adjusted steel ribbons in a way that makes each one appear unique in a seemingly random array, making the facade look soft and airy, almost alive.

site plan

ground floor

first floor

east elevation

west elevation

north elevation

south elevation

section A

section B

section C

section D

section E