Fangzhang Building, empty space to transcend mundanity

Inside the Tongbai Palace, one of the most important traditional Taoist temples in China, the reconstruction of the water tank provides an opportunity for the birth of the Fangzhang Building: from the Taoist language, the "place where immortals live", the building with highly symbolic architecture hosts visitors upon their arrival and the master's daily practice.

Tradition and modernity in the Fangzhang Building

Symbolically positioned on the 2nd level of the “8 layers of the mountain”, the one where the immortal is practiced but also the one closest to the human world, the Fangzhang Building stands at the top of the courtyard of the Tongbai palace temple complex. For the architecture firm KiKi ARCHi, which in its architecture projects designs the new building, integrating the language of modern design based on traditional style becomes the focus of the work.

The Taoist concept of emptiness as a design guide

Architects decide to use the Taoist concept of emptiness "KONG" as a guide to express that of wisdom, and they merge it into the design of space as the 'Qingjing Jing' wrote: "For those able to eliminate desires, when they look into their hearts, there is no thought to think; when they see objects, there is no form to describe; when they see a distant environment, there is nothing to see; ... there is only the true Self to see. If one sees emptiness (KONG) without the thought of such emptiness (KONG), it will bring such emptiness (KONG) to its extreme."

Architecture that interacts with the sky

The Fangzhang Building, developed on three floors, uses a combination of concrete and cedar columns as its main structure, accompanied by stone walls, glass facades, and windows that visually lighten the structure from bottom to top. The vertical columns seem to touch the sky, while the simplified and decoration-free roofs appear suspended, embodying the concept of 'emptiness'.

A fusion of contemporary design and Taoist thought

Contemporary design language combines abstract thinking and Taoist spirit to represent the transcendence from mundanity. The circular skylight on the ground floor introduces visitors to the philosophy of 'round sky, square earth', while on the second floor, a panoramic meditation platform opens up to nature, with a cedar ceiling that echoes the Taoist concept of the 'eight directions'.

A vibrant and sustainable courtyard

The courtyard on the second floor integrates artificial landscapes enriched with water and vegetation, elements that infuse freshness and vitality into the space. This environment helps regulate temperature and light, with a pool that reduces the thermal load on the ground floor and a skylight that introduces natural light. The local materials used reinforce the sustainable approach, creating an organic balance between form and content.