Location: Jianning, China.

Architect: Kengo Kuma and associates.

The pavilion located at the foot of Laojunshan mountain in Xinjin is designed to showcase the essence of Taoism through its space and exhibitions. The façade is made of local tiles and hung in the air by wire to create a breathing façade of particles that merges with the surrounding nature. The south façade is staggered in different angles to respond to the pond and street levels, while the east façade is vertically twisted to correspond with the dynamism of the road. The north façade is static and flat, facing the pedestrians’ square. The flow of the architecture leads people from the front to the back, motion to stillness, like a stroll type of garden. The exhibition space inside is planned spiral moving from darkness to light, with a paramount view of Laoujunshan from the upper floor. The interior of the building is covered with gentle light with beautiful particle-like shade.

Photo credit: Kengo Kuma.