▲ Exterior View of the Church
In the spirit of the warm diplomatic ties between China and France, the Chengdu Sino-French Agricultural Science and Technology Park is set to be developed. This project aims to capture the essence of Southern France’s lifestyle and revive its artistic heritage, creating a rich cultural experience infused with international influences. When one thinks of Southern France, the image of Provence’s purple lavender fields comes to mind—where the light of Impressionism has left a lasting mark on art history.
Impressionism, a movement that broke away from the traditional realism of the Renaissance, is known for its freehand brushwork and expressive use of light. Inspired by this, the Langxiang Church abandons conventional Catholic church designs in favor of a unique, distorted form that symbolizes an extraordinary spirit. This iconic architecture has played a pivotal role in shaping Western “modern architecture.”
▲ Church and Lavender Fields at Twilight
With a deep understanding of French cultural spirit and architectural artistry, this church is designed to express freedom, romance, and diversity, breaking away from traditional forms, materials, structures, and construction methods. The pure white facade interplays freely with light and shadow, creating a dynamic visual experience.
▲ Exterior View of the Church
▲ Church Facade
▲ Church Tower
“Architecture is the refined, accurate, and excellent manipulation of volumes under sunlight. The images created by these volumes are clear, tangible, and unmistakable. That is why they can be called beautiful images—the most beautiful images.”
—Le Corbusier
The church’s design draws inspiration from traditional Western church styles. Sunlight filters through the structure, turning into radiant beams that illuminate the interior. Light is an essential element in any church, becoming the soul of this building through its natural purity.
▲ Inspiration Source: Bodgar Church
To capture this purity, innovative structural design is essential. The goal was to make the structure virtually disappear—a concept that often requires complex engineering despite its simple appearance. From circular to 40mm square cross-sections, bundles of slender, upward-extending light-sensing rods form a suspended dome inside the church. These elements, which seem to defy mechanics, float above while the load-bearing framework remains cleverly concealed.
▲ Structural Analysis Sketch
▲ Church Rods
▲ Interior View of the Church
▲ Church Rods
The primary structural framework consists of a thin-walled steel grid with 240mm by 240mm spacing, supported by thick-walled aluminum square tubes extending to the ground. Suspended thin-walled aluminum tubes are held by lightweight rods, seamlessly integrating the structure with the building’s skin, blending the interior and exterior spaces harmoniously.
▲ Church Structural System
From concept to completion in just two months, material selection was crucial. To express purity, the design demanded flawless detailing with no visible welds. A common yet often overlooked high-quality material—aluminum square tubing—was chosen as the sole construction material. This choice offers a unique blend of lightness, earthquake resistance, corrosion resistance, and environmental friendliness.
The church under construction resembles an oil painting.
Within the constraints of budget and timeline, ecological quality was prioritized from the outset. Constructed entirely from aluminum square tubes without welding seams, the church benefits from a streamlined construction process and simple materials. This approach saves time and cost while delivering superior quality and an exceptional visual experience. Even at night, lighting is carefully controlled to avoid overflow, creating an elegant, transparent atmosphere.
▲ Transparent Night View Inside the Church
▲ Church Exterior
▲ Church Amidst Lavender Fields
The concluding thoughts of the project rest on two simple elements. First, the rhythm of the rods and the dynamic changes of light express pure emptiness, aligning with the church’s divine essence. Second, the church’s silhouette conveys its presence in an impressionistic style, reflecting a modern sensibility. In this architectural poetry, abstract logic and emotion coexist, blending beauty, form, and soul into a harmonious whole.
▲ Church at Sunset
▲ Church at Sunset
▲ Chief Creative Designer Reflecting on the Sketch
Project Information
Project Type: Landscape Architecture, Exhibition Installation
Location: Chengdu, China
Architectural Design: Shanghai Dachuang Architectural Design Firm / Weitu Design Agency
Area: 65.0 square meters
Year: 2019
Lead Architects: Hong Dongtao, Li Hui
Design Team: Li Baoqiang, Zhou Xialu
Partner: Weitu Design Agency
Owner: Overseas Chinese Town Group Co., Ltd.
Photographer: Existence of Architecture
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