TEMPLE OF HEAVEN, BEIJINGSPATIAL ARRANGEMENT

• The plan is formed by square and circle which symbolize heaven and earth respectively. Chinese believes that by positioning the masses in symmetrical way can balance the Yin and Yang.

• The Vermillion Step Bridge is a long path that symbolizes life. The presence of the white tiles is like hope and courage which leads the view.

• Visitors can access into the compound from four different directions. Visitors pass through a flight of steps leading towards the temple. The journey was accompanied by the carved clouds and white marble balusters on both sides ascending to the place where heaven meets the earth.

CIRCULATION

• The echo wall carries sound from one side of the wall to the other. They believe that the wall can keep the bad spirit away from the compound.

• There is no distraction in its background, thus making the building picturesque and dominating to the people that approach it. It becomes the focal point of everyone.

• The ceiling is full of the repetition of intricate details and painted with different colors and textures, thus making a sense of the sky has no ending even through thousands of layers.

ENGAGEMENT OF SENSES

• White marble is used to represent the clouds in the sky, making the temple to have a floating illusion. The timber in the structure and walls are carved and painted in different shapes and colors which tells different stories and legends through them.

• The temple resembles a sundial. The shadow oscillates and changes through passing time. It reminds us to live our life to the fullest, and participate in time cycles that surpass individual life.

• The prayer hall is penetrated by lights in all directions but at the same time is partially blocked to keep the sacred serenity of the space.

LIGHT & SHADOW

TEXTURE & MATERIALITY

The Temple of Heaven is one of the largest complexes in China which represents Chinese architecture with balance and symbolism. The building

was functioned as a place for the emperor to worship God and ancestors for peace and good harvest.

DENMARK PAVILION, SHANGHAI EXPO

• The architects applied the 5 icons of Denmark into the building. The building was built in continuous spiral pathway to let the visitors experience the daily routine of Danish people.

• Statue of mermaid represents fairy tales. It shows that age doesn’t matter, childhood memories will never be forgotten.

• When visitors go up the building, they are getting further away from the mermaid statue. It tells that as you grow, your childhood fantasies will gradually fade away…

• Visitors only able to view the interior or the exterior of the building when they stand close to the wall.

• The sound vibration diffuses through the perforated façade along the pathway, achieving a quiet environment representing the serenity in life.

• The different arrangement and sizes of the holes represents the emotions that we encounter in life. It also allows different amount of light penetration.

• The contrast of the light and shadow at the atrium indicates the contrast of the personalities we show or hide in life. Light is unable to cover everything, there are still a lot to explore in life.

FORM

CIRCULATION

ENGAGEMENT OF SENSES

LIGHT & SHADOW

FLOOR PLANS

PROJECT 1A: PRECEDENT STUDIES: Analyzing spatial poetics & spatial typologies in architecture

NG HONG BIN 0319735EDDIE GOH 0322915TANG ZE ZHENG 0318967LEE KAI YUNG 0318314CHONG YU XUAN 0317950

Denmark pavilion is a temporary building designed by BIG for the Shanghai Expo 2010. The pavilion is a huge loop which allows visitors to cycle around

to experience the Danish urban way. At the center of the pavilion is a big pool with fresh water and the Lite Mermaid Statue.