atelier FCJZ tops langtou cultural center with lotus garden roof ponds

chun yang tai cultural center completes in yangtou

China‘s 600-year-old ancient village of Langtou sees the completion of this Chun Yang Tai Cultural Center, whose contemporary architecture by Atelier FCJZ integrates the lush natural context. The complex takes shape as a cluster of concrete and masonry volumes each topped by a rooftop garden of lotus leaves and shallow ponds, thus visually blending into the aquatic flora of the landscape. Through its cultural programming, the modern structure responds to the heritage and local culture of its site, known locally as an ‘accomplished scholars village.’

images courtesy Atelier FCJZ

atelier fcjz brings modern program to an ancient village

Atelier FCJZ introduces its Chun Yang Tai Cultural Centre as a contemporary intervention to the ancient and well-preserved urban fabric of Langtou village — comprising classical academies, ancestral temples, vernacular houses, and meandering streets and alleys. Rooted in this historical context, the architects disperse the center’s modern program, which includes exhibition spaces, a library, a theater, research studios, and a café, into ten individual small building units. These building units are artfully connected by a series of ‘towers’ clad with curvilinear brick walls, creating intimate alleys and courtyards that harmonize with the village’s layout and scale.

topped by lotus pond rooftops

Atelier FCJZ’s vision for Chun Yang Tai extends beyond conventional architecture. Nearly 30 groups of planted water ponds grace the roofs of the buildings, with lush aquatic flora, predominantly water lilies, creating not just a visual spectacle but also contributing to energy efficiency. These roof ponds, interconnected by elevated walkways, complement the designed and natural ponds within sunken courtyards and the surrounding areas. This intricate ‘multi-level lotus pond system’ seamlessly weaves into the natural environment, blurring the lines between the built and the organic.

learning from the heritage of langtou

To honor the village’s deep-rooted traditions, the architects at Atelier FCJZ have selected local red tiles, traditional grey bricks, and exposed concrete as the primary building materials. These choices breathe life into Chun Yang Tai as a local cultural facility firmly anchored in the Langtou tradition. Furthermore, the design pays homage to traditional Lingnan architectural elements such as ‘Dragon boat ridge’ and ‘Moon beam.’ Among these architectural elements, the crescent windows emerge as an iconic symbol of Chun Yang Tai. These windows not only introduce a delicate and diffused quality of light into interior spaces but also frame the surroundings in graceful arcs, offering visitors an exquisite view of their picturesque environment.