Rainbow Chapel by Coordination Asia is a multi-coloured wedding venue in Shanghai
Couples with a love of stained glass can now get married in a kaleidoscopic wedding chapel next to a Shanghai glass museum (+ slideshow).
![Rainbow Chapel by Coordination Asia](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/06/Rainbow-Chapel-by-Coordination-Asia_dezeen_468_2.jpg)
Designed by Chinese studio Coordination Asia, the Rainbow Chapel features a multi-hued facade made up of over 3,000 glass panels, displaying 65 different colours.
![Rainbow Chapel by Coordination Asia](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/06/Rainbow-Chapel-by-Coordination-Asia_dezeen_468_1.jpg)
These create a 6.8-metre-high cylinder that transitions like a rainbow from warm tones of red, orange and yellow, down to shades of green, blue, purple and pink.
![Rainbow Chapel by Coordination Asia](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/06/Rainbow-Chapel-by-Coordination-Asia_dezeen_468_4.jpg)
According to architect and studio founder Tilman Thürmer, the aim was to create a wedding venue to suit young and creative couples, serving as an alternative to China's more traditional venues.
![Rainbow Chapel by Coordination Asia](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/06/Rainbow-Chapel-by-Coordination-Asia_dezeen_468_6.jpg)
"There was a lack in the Chinese wedding market that mainly offers city-centre locations and classic settings, and we went on to fill that gap," Thürmer explained.
![Rainbow Chapel by Coordination Asia](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/06/Rainbow-Chapel-by-Coordination-Asia_dezeen_468_8.jpg)
The building is located at G+ Park in north Shanghai – a museum cluster designed by Coordination Asia that also includes the Shanghai Museum of Glass and the Kids Museum of Glass.
![Rainbow Chapel by Coordination Asia](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/06/Rainbow-Chapel-by-Coordination-Asia_dezeen_468_15.jpg)
"Over the years of operating the museum park we experienced an increasing demand to have a new type of venue that caters to the Chinese public, now avid for living a creative life, gathering new and exciting experiences and mixing art and lifestyle," added Thürmer.
![Rainbow Chapel by Coordination Asia](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/06/Rainbow-Chapel-by-Coordination-Asia_dezeen_468_23.jpg)
Standing over a shallow pool of water, the 390-square-metre building is framed by a rectilinear white structure with a wall on only one of its four sides.
![Rainbow Chapel by Coordination Asia](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/06/Rainbow-Chapel-by-Coordination-Asia_dezeen_468_17.jpg)
The colourful glass cylinder is positioned at the centre of this cuboid, illuminated by lights embedded in the overhanging roof.
![Rainbow Chapel by Coordination Asia](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/06/Rainbow-Chapel-by-Coordination-Asia_dezeen_468_21.jpg)
"The two basic shapes – square and circle – are fundamental to Chinese symbolism," said the design team in a statement.
"The circle represents fullness and unity, while the square stands as a symbol of honesty and virtue; when combined they lend a sense of perfection and provide the place with good luck."
![Rainbow Chapel by Coordination Asia](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/06/Rainbow-Chapel-by-Coordination-Asia_dezeen_468_26.jpg)
Flooring is patterned with pale grey triangles and squares, echoing the shapes of the glass panels.
![Rainbow Chapel by Coordination Asia](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/06/Rainbow-Chapel-by-Coordination-Asia_dezeen_468_0-e1433948638206.jpg)
Contemporary wedding venues have become increasingly popular in Asia in recent years, and architects have been creating inventive examples both in cities and in the countryside.
![Rainbow Chapel by Coordination Asia](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/06/Rainbow-Chapel-by-Coordination-Asia_dezeen_468_10.jpg)
In the last year, Tokyo-based Hiroshi Nakamura has completed a ribbon-like chapel on the Hiroshima coastline, while in 2012 Chinese firm Urbanus unveiled a Shenzhen registry office that looks like it has been showered with confetti.
Photography is by Coordination Asia.
Project credits:
Client: Shanghai G+ Culture Creative Developing
Architect: Coordination Asia
Team: Tilman Thürmer, Manuela Mappa
Architectural details: Logon Urban Architecture Design