Site Area: 570 m2
Completion Year: 2024
The project is a public gathering space primarily designed to accommodate the church congregation for Sunday services, as well as theatrical performances and classroom activities.
Located on the top floor of a shopping mall, the space has an irregular perimeter defined by walls, with several structural columns and walls positioned within the interior. These existing conditions present a design challenge, as the intended program typically requires a large, unobstructed space to ensure clear sightlines between the audience and the speaker.
The design concept draws inspiration from the project’s name, House of Healing, while addressing the challenge posed by the centrally located structural columns. We interpret the idea of a ‘house’ as a ‘home’ — a place where people feel embraced, accepted, and welcomed. Inspired by the image of divine arms embracing the congregation, this concept is translated into a series of ceiling-and-wall elements that wrap around the central stage and gathering space.
We reimagine the conventional gathering space, typically arranged in a classroom or theater-like configuration, by introducing an oval stage at the center of the irregular space, with seating arranged around it. This configuration creates a more relaxed and intimate setting, allowing the speaker to move freely around the stage, engage with the congregation from different directions, and reduce the physical distance to those seated farthest away. As a result, the spatial arrangement encourages a more dynamic and interactive relationship between the speaker and the audience, rather than a predominantly one-way exchange.
The ceiling-and-wall elements consist of layered, curved planes finished in subtle gradations of blue. The color palette references the tekhelet (blue) traditionally associated with biblical garments, including the robe worn by Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry.
The main ceiling panels are made from ‘banana paper’ by Japanese artist Naruse. Featuring a custom, randomly arranged pattern, the panels allow light from above to filter into the main space, creating a soft and atmospheric lighting effect.