Faith by edan turner
The brief for this competition was to create a facility that captures that which draws us to religious and faith based architecture. Why is it that people who do not hold specific religious beliefs so often visit religious sites? The brief asked for a design which could re-create whatever it is that attracts us so strongly to religious architecture without conforming to any one specific religion or system of belief. I believe the key function of religion is to offer us a sense of something greater than ourselves. The idea of being a part of something other than the everyday offers us meaning in life. It is the idea of something greater than ourselves which I focused on in my design.
Site - Beijing Dongcheng District, Beijing Dongcheng is the historic centre of Beijing.
Masterplan - Dongcheng Public Park The designated site is in a public park located in Dongcheng.
Site Boundary
Marriott Hotel
Ming Dynasty Wall Ruins
Spatial co-ordination
I have focused on four ideas in my design which I believe transcend the everyday; Community, nature, the individual and worship. It is these ideas that are central to meaning in peoples lives. Worship - is a means by which we attempt to connect with our faith in more conscious/formal way. Worship is a way of giving thanks and asking for what we want. Nature - Nature is another important element in the concept of faith and has been even before the advent of Christianity. We sense that nature is larger than ourselves and not of our control. Community - Community is a central part of all faiths. When we come together we create a sense of connection. Community gives people the feeling of belonging. The Individual - Our own minds can also offer a sense of something greater than the everyday. The ability to be creative or to ask existential question are examples of mind being a place where the everyday can be transcended.
SECTION AA
AXONOMETRIC DIAGRAM
WORSHIP SPACE
SECTION AA KEY
This room is intended as somewhere people can come to pray, perform rituals or blessings.
NATURE SPACE This module is intended as a space which connects the user with nature. Large glass openings blur the boundary of outside and inside.
COMMUNITY SPACE The community room is intended for events and gatherings The space connects to a kitchen, WC’s and a plant room.
INDIVIDUAL SPACE This module is intended as a peaceful space in which the individual can reflect. The entrance is met by a winding hallway which is intended to give the sense of entering somewhere that is unique and separate to the outside world. The multiple roof openings create unique shadows on the walls and floor which are intended to be symbolic of the individual. SECTION AA
Front view / South Elevation
Response to site
RESPONSE TO MING DYNASTY WALL RUINS
The site includes a section of the ruins of the Beijing Ming Wall built in 1419 during the Ming Dynasty. These ruins influenced the form and materiality of this project. For example, the design uses a rough stone similar to that of the Ming Wall. The undulating walls imitates its dilapidated form (see diagrams below).
SECTION OF THE MING DYNASTY WALL RELIC
EAST ELEVATION DIAGRAM
- MING DYNASTY WALL RUINS
PERMEABILITY
Permeability was another important aspect of the project. The design allows people to naturally pass through the narrow shaped park. The plan conforms to the shape of the site, allowing the building/s to site comfortable in their context. Dividing the mass of the building into three seperate modules allows the design to feel imposing in relation to the site.
SOUTH ELEVATION AS SINGLE MASS
SOUTH ELEVATION AS DESIGNED
- CIRCULATION THROUGH DESIGN
Sequence of Spaces
(1)
These three images show the route through the main module of the design. (1) The entrance is located on the central axis and is given importance by the grass banks on either side. The exterior is a freer, more informal space with wild grass, flowers and rough stone walls which mimic the historic Ming Wall ruins. (2) You enter the building into a corridor, leading into the community room which is open, minimalist and a comparatively calm space. This area is intended for community gatherings. (3) The community room leads in the worship room. This space is intended to be calm and reflective. The controlled lighting of the room through the narrow roof light gives a sense of enclosure and intimacy. There are no windows in the walls of these three main spaces. It is typical in both Islamic and Christian places of worship to have little connection between outside and in. This creates a sense of separation from everyday life. Instead rooflights are used in the design directing the eye upwards to the skies. This creates a connection dissociated from the everyday, similar to how certain religions use the dome in architecture to elicit a connection with the heavens.
(2)
(3)
(2)
(1)
(3)
Nature Room - Exterior View
Individual Room
Worship Room
by edan turner - part one graduate edanturner97@gmail.com