Restoration Church & Courtyards, Chongzhou, Yanhua Pond

Prior to the restoration process, the interior of this old church was in complete disarray, resembling an ordinary residence. To revive its historical character and highlight its artistic and cultural significance, traditional craftsmanship is integrated with modern technologies. The restoration's key feature is a new mesh structure that resembles a pointed arch ceiling. With limited documentation available, the ceiling form had to be speculated and reconstructed; local bamboo weaving patterns were reinterpreted in stainless steel. It was critical that the approach respected local culture, religious traditions, and original church ornamentation. The restoration also involved carefully cleaning and repairing remaining brick carvings and removing layers of gold, white, and green paint that had been added over time. A strange flat ceiling that was recently erected was dismantled to reveal the historical structural framework in Western Chinese architectural style. Existing mosaic tiles in the central aisle were rearranged to match the stained-glass windows. Lastly, the lighting, which was very primitive when the church was first built, became an unprecedented stage for the designers to showcase their innovative skills. The new design introduces an intelligent six-layer lighting system that can be combined and adapted to various lighting needs. Red Dot Award: Design Concept | Concept | Interior Architecture and Interior Design