WATERSIDE BUDDHIST SHRINE

INTRODUCTION LOCATION CONCEPT

The Buddha was born and reborn under trees. It is said that his mother gave birth to him under a sal tree,
and he found his spiritual awakening under a pipal tree. Buddhist shrine follows a similar path. Stressing
the features of the landscape, the building is designed around the mound defining the area, and the trees
that line it. Avoiding all tree trunks surrounding it, the shrine is instead built around them, as if flowing
from them. The implantation of this Buddhist sanctuary was chosen strategically between the forest and
along the river. Its main objective was to connect the building with nature
SITE ZONING
The shape of the plan looks like branches extending under the existing forest. Five separate and
continuous spaces are created within the building by two axes: one that runs north-south and
SITE PLAN another along the river. The five“branches”represent five spaces with different functions:
entrance, Buddhist meditation room, tea room, living room and bathroom. All together, they
form a strolling-style EFFECT.
This is a place for Buddhist mediation, thinking
and contemplation, as well as a place that
satisfies the needs of daily life. The building is
located in the forest by the riverside. Along the
river there is a mound, behind which is a great
stretch of open fields and sporadic greenhouses.
The design, which began with the connection
between the building and nature, adopts the
method of earthing to hide the building under
the earth mound while presenting the divine
temperament of nature with flowing interior
space. A place with power of perception – where ORIENTATION ZONE 1 - ENTRANCE
trees, water, Buddha, and humans coexist – is •The building is orinted with its longer •The entrance of the structure is from southern part of the site . It is a simple narrow
thus created. side on north – south direction. entrance with wooden and concrete texture which gives the feel of both hardness as
Facilitating good sun and breeze. well as softness.
GENERAL INFORMATION •each zone is designed accordingly. •The building remains close to trees and natural scenery. The entrance faces two
•Openings for light and ventilation trees; people need to walk into the building through a narrow path under the trees
according to climate comfort and •The simplicity and its minimal nature gives the feeling of peace when entered..
aesthetic consideration.
•Oriented keeping the site and its
natural surroundings in mind.
ACCESS
•The site is accessible from south road.
•It has common entrance and exit.
AIM
 making use of space, structure and
Architects: Archstudio material to stimulate human
perception, thus helping man and ZONE 2-MEDITATION
Location: Tangshan, Hebei, China building to find the charm of nature
even in an ordinary rural landscape,
SPACE
Project Type: Religious Building and to coexist with nature.“ •The shrine is against the wall and facing
Make humans understand the buddhist the water, where the light and the
Land Area: about 500 ㎡ learning and also keep the beliefs and shadow of the trees get through the
tradition alive with respect to the skylight and flow into the interior space
Building Area: 169 ㎡ architecture,. softly along the curved wall, exaggerating
the light of Buddha
Year: 2017

ZONE 3 – TEA ROOM
The tea room opens completely to the pool
which is filled with lotus, and trees on both
sides of the tea room has become part of
the courtyard, creating a fun of tea tasting
and sight-viewing.
ZONE 4– LOUNGE
The lounge is separated from other parts of
the building by a bamboo courtyard; such
division enables daily life varies with
different hours of a day. The whole building
is covered with earth and becomes an
extension of the land, as another “mound”
which could be used under the trees.
ZONES
ENTRANCE
WASHROOM
SHRINE AREA
TEA AREA
LOUNGE
CIRCULATION
FORM
•Simple organic form that blends into the nature
and I its elements around with curves that helps
the spaces flow into each other.
geometric volumes strike a balance with
their natural environment, reconstructing
its ascetic grace and meaningful
simplicity into its spiritual function, while
also providing a setting for meeting the
needs of everyday life.
STRUCTURE
•This spiritual place is a simpe concrete and
wooden structure opening into 5 rooms like
branches of tree.
It is designed with an accessible roof with blends
into the surrounding mound.
The external thickness acts as an adequate sun
protection for windows, providing insulation.
The relationship with nature further extends to the use of materials. Integral concreting is used in walls and the roof of the building. The concrete formwork
and the built in with wood.
geometric volumes strike a balance with their natural environment, reconstructing its ascetic grace and meaningful simplicity into its spiritual function, while
also providing a setting for meeting the needs of everyday life. In this, as Wen-Qiang designs “a space with power of perception, where trees, water, Buddha
and human coexist”, so too coexist both natural and meticulously constructed environments.
MATERIALS
•The concrete was used on the walls and roof.
•In the concrete forms pine strips of 3 cm thick were
embedded. So pieces of wood and linear textures were printed
on the inner surface.
•built-in furniture was custom made in wood with gray fiber, a
little different from the concrete tone of the walls.
•The internal floor is covered with thin sheets of stone that
mark and guide the natural landscape to the interior.
•A cream of cement mixed with white stones coats the outer
floor
•Preference was given to the use of natural materials. Solid
wood was used on all doors and windows..
LANDSCAPING
•Rich landscape environment.
•Site boundaries lined with evergreen trees.
•Aseries of high and low platform, soft and hard
landscaping have used in the court.
•The building remains close to the trees and natural
scenery.
•Structure is constructed around the existing trees.
•Accessible green roof
•The roof blends itself into the mound.
CONNECTION WITH THE NATURE
OBSERVATION AND LEARNINGS.
•It Is one of the oldest world practicing religion.
•Buddhism have its strong monolithic approach towards faith irrespective of the religion.
•The form and the materials is relatable to the nature around.
•Is designed keeping the tteachings in mind.
•Minimal yet appealing and peaceful.
•Orientation leads tp perfect play of light and shadow.
•Openings and courtyards given accordingly.
•Material also goes with the climatic condition keeping the shrine peacefu and cool.
•Pool with lotus in it is one of the oldest culture related to buddhism and its also aesthetically
beautiful.
•Inside out relation varies in terms of physical peace and mental peace.