A riverside Buddhist temple in Tangshan, Hebei Province of China, which impresses with interesting architecture, is undoubtedly worthy of our attention. The project was completed in collaboration between Han Wenqiang and Archstudio in 2017. The building was adapted to the surrounding nature in such a way that it almost seems to merge with it. A Buddhist temple that follows the principles of Zen Buddhism in every respect was the concept that the architects wanted to realize. The building of the religious shrine has deep symbolic value.
The concrete structure was built in the middle of fields and greenhouses under a grassy hill. The special oneunderground architecturewith the open courtyards and windows on the ceiling allow the surrounding nature to enter the temple. Archstudio's structure was intentionally created underground to express man's connection to nature. The entire floor plan was designed to correspond to the elements important to Buddhism, namely earth, trees, light and water. The property was therefore not chosen at random. The floor plan of the 169 square meter building was adapted to the existing venerable trees. A Buddhist temple with an extraordinary non-linear course was born out of the desire not to damage the previous life.
When you look at the floor plan, associations with the roots or branches of a tree immediately come to mind. The architects have created a sequence of five individual areas that flow almost seamlessly into one another. “Nothing should inhibit movement, energy or thoughts” is a Buddhist principle, according to which the floor plan was created. The individual areas, the entrance, the meditation room, the tea house, the lounge area and the bathroom function as a symbolic “rootwork”.
The tree theme is also taken up in concrete processing. The impressive oneTexture of the wallsand ceilings was created using concrete formwork that was assembled from wooden strips that were only 3 cm thick. A noticeable but harmonious visual separation of indoor and outdoor areas was created using different floor coverings. While the interior floor is made of light gray terrazzo, the exterior area is covered with white pebbles. A narrow path that goes into the hills leads to the white Buddha figure. The figure is bathed in sunlight through an opening in the roof and is positioned facing the water.
*a project byArchstudio
