The Fushan Chapel designed by Wooyoo Architecture is based on the faith of Christians at the present time. The cross structure of the building not only architecturally supports the church, but it also implicitly watches out for the followers. The arched roof and diamond-shaped ceiling artistically signify the highest point of the church.
The architect believes that humanity is attached to and separated from nature at the same time. The gap is filled by construction. The 6-meter high ecological landscape is the omnipresent nature when worshipping.
Located in the remote and rather inaccessible mountain area in New Taipei City, the first floor was where an unfinished concrete church was built in the 1980s. While the unfinished church had been in use for the past 30 years, a crowdfunding campaign was held to complete the construction. The first floor was then used as a shelter for women and children, with the second floor serving as a chapel.
The indoor space of the chapel could be used for different activities. The space behind the pulpit can be connected to the balcony deck, providing an area where diverse activities can be hosted, such as sightseeing and wedding, thereby offering a different source of revenue for followers who need financial aid.
As for the construction, the building materials of steel and wood were processed at the bottom of the mountain before being moved to the church and assembled. Waste from the construction was made into planes or wall surfaces, thus realising the target of zero clearings and transporting (of waste).
Given that the weather is hot in Taiwan, the grills and sunshades on the roof reduce the amount of direct sunlight through the window. The grill walls bring fresh air to the indoor space, blocking the outdoor heat on the hillside, thus reducing the cost of energy.
Project details:
Area: 520m²
Year: 2017
Photographs: YHLAA
Lead architect: Hom Liou
See the full image gallery here:
You might also like:
Phoebe Says Wow architects designs Boolean birdhouse pavilion in remote Taiwanese mountains
