Hangzhou Meilizhou Church

Zhejiang, China
Photo © Masao Nishikawa
Photo © Masao Nishikawa
Photo © PLATdesign
Photo © Masao Nishikawa
Photo © Masao Nishikawa
Landscape Architects
PLATdesign
Location
Zhejiang, China
Year
2010

This church sits outside of town in a summer resort area surrounded by forest. In designing the landscaping, we thought about how to create a border between the holy space, the forest, and the every-day living environment surrounding it.  We focused on the approach to the church and the unfolding sequence of steps between it and its surroundings.

Among the elements we used were a stone path that stretches out as if leading visitors away from the earthly world; a large staircase in front of the church lined with a wall shielding it from its surroundings; a pure white inner garden floating in a field of green, symbolizing innocence; and a series of low, irregular walls that gently divide forest and grounds.

We hope that the texture, opposition of, and distance between these elements form an emotional landscape that stays with visitors long after they leave the church and its garden.

Architectural Design: Tsuhima Design Studio

Related Projects

  • Wellness Bogn Sedrun
    Walter Bieler AG
  • Shanghai Suhe MixC World
    KOKAISTUDIOS
  • Welcome to the Stage!
    Kjellander Sjöberg
  • Hovering Kan-Too – Great Bay Area Center Showroom
    Wutopia Lab
  • Stockwell-Rodríguez Residence
    Belmont Freeman Architects

Magazine

Other Projects by PLATdesign

AOYAMA 346
Tokyo, Japan
NSENGI Kitakyushu Technology Center
Fukuoka, Japan
Tsuchiura City Funeral Hall
Ibaraki, Japan
NIJINOIRUKA Nursery school Hikawadai
Tokyo, Japan
Amagasaki Parking Area
Amagasaki, Hyogo, Japan