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A Seed-Shaped Church on a Sacred Mountain in China

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The O Studio Architects of Hong Kong just completed an elegantly curved concrete church in Huizhou, China.

The model shows the very unique shape of the building, a sculptural form that encourages a climb.

Bringing celebrants closer to the sky hints at a spiritual journey towards the heavens at Luofu Mountain Scenery District – one of the seven famous Taoist Mountains in China.

This is the first Christian church in a sacred mountain site with Taoist and Buddhist temples.

The inspirational architecture respects the natural environment and the more traditional local spiritual culture.

Spirituality is subtly suggested through the simple and elemental play of light and shadow.

The church has a shape like a seed – a metaphor much used in the New Testament.

But the reference to nature means that it is also minimally intrusive in a land not traditionally christian.

The main structure was molded by in-situ, in a sustainable building technique that is economical and practical for local builders.

Wooden formwork for pouring concrete in-situ imparts a texture. But in this church, instead of planks of wood from far away trees, local bamboo was used for formwork.

The bamboo texture left on the concrete surface by the bamboo form reduces the massiveness of the high concrete wall.

The unique bamboo pattern created makes a local reference to the surrounding trees and green landscape.

Local farmers built the handmade bamboo furniture. Like the religious furniture of Quaker carpenters, the effect is humble and close to village life.

Via Dezeen