Chongming Island Ksitigharba Temple Complex

The Chongming Island Ksitigarbha Temple Complex is located on a 180m x 80m site on Chongming Island, just to the north of Shanghai. The client's brief asked for a design that would be a departure from the aesthetic of a traditional Chinese temple, and it was also requested that, as soon as each visitor steps through the gate of the complex, they will immediately be able to see the statue of Ksitigarbha that resides within the temple.

hch's vision for this temple is to create a structure that emanates the uplifting of the spirit and deep serenity of Buddhist practice.

The main temple building, 26 meters tall, is formed by four tensile membrane structures that appear as four flower petals opening to the endless sky above. As one looks upon the temple from the front gate of the complex across a long reflection pool, a 13-meter-high image the of the Bodhisattva's face looks out from the heart of the temple, his ever-serene visage gazing with infinite compassion upon the visitor.

For the devotee, the profound source of inspiration that radiates forth from the center of the temple is a reflection and a reminder of the inner light that is within each and every one. As such, it is intended that the experience of the temple serves to deepen the devotee's connection not only to the Bodhisattva but also to their own true self and, thus, their own inner radiance.

In addition to the temple itself, the complex includes dining facilities to serve up to 300 visitors at a time, accommodations for visiting devotees, living quarters for 60 nuns, and a memorial hall where prayer rituals for the deceased can be held.

A full presentation for this project can be downloaded here in EN 

Aurora Corporate Pavilion at Expo 2010 Shanghai

The concept development and architectural design of the Aurora Pavilion at the World Expo 2010 Shanghai was a unique challenge. China saw its hosting of the World Expo as part of its grand stage to the world as well as the world’s stage to China.

With a relatively limited budget, the Aurora Pavilion yet needed to stand out amongst a vast field of competing structures and to serve as a standard-bearer for the Aurora Group’s brand, showcasing a cohesive and compelling visitor experience and shining as the crown jewel with which Aurora could impress its partners and clients.

The theme of "Jade" for the pavilion was inspired by the chairman’s personal collection housed in museums located in Aurora’s Taipei and Shanghai corporate offices. Jade evokes an advanced and refined culture and presents Aurora as an evolved and progressive company.

hch led a design team of yi-e Space , HWANG Concepts , AWP, and Arup, to create and develop the concept for the pavilion as well as the conceptual architectural design and brand identity.

Private Residence with Altar

This project involved the conversion of a 2-story rooftop flat in downtown Taipei from a typically cluttered warren of rooms into an open, spacious, light-filled home. The client is a devoutly practicing Buddhist who wanted the altar to be a focal space in the home and was open to a new interpretation of how that altar could be expressed.

hch's concept for the design brings the light and spaciousness of the 2-story living room area into the experience of the altar. The Buddha and Bodhisattva stand on floating masses of wood, an uplifting metaphorical reference to their power to inspire.

The choice of materials and abundance of plants bring life and warmth to this home that is a tranquil refuge from the bustle of the city.

Light Sculpture Hanging Garden

This concept takes three elements - water, light, and plants - which each deeply evoke our connection to life, and fuses them into a dramatic, verdant, living piece of installation art.

Future of Photography

For this project hch collaborated with IMO to develop a revolutionary experience for photography retail in which photographic components are expressed in the design of the space and presented as objects of cutting-edge technology to be aspired to.

In this realm, everything from the visual aesthetic of the space to information about the products is dynamic and interactive, and, as customers experience how their engagement with the products can transform the space, they feel creatively empowered and more deeply connected to the products as well as more fully attuned to and immersed in the environment.

Sanchong Residential Tower

hch collaborated with IMO to design an innovative façade concept for a 100-meter high residential tower overlooking the Danshui River. With its location at the Taipei Bridge, Taipei's first and still one of its most important cross-river thoroughfares, it was important to present the building as a sculptural element that would uplift the riverside cityscape.

Residential towers in Taiwan often have enormous energy costs due to massive use of air conditioning throughout the year. By starting from a study of temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, global horizontal illumination, sky coverage, etc., the façade design is calculated to reduce air conditioning usage throughout the year by 34%. In addition to providing energy and cost savings and raising the sustainability profile of the building, the design optimizes the comfort level of its interior spaces, further enhancing the lives of its residents.