Vancouver, BC
Client Tzu Chi Foundation
Type Cultural, Education, Religious
Size 140,000 sq.ft.
Status Concept Design
Tzu Chi Foundation
This project is about building atmosphere. With this humanist approach, the focus is moved from the building to the people, from the object to the subject, changing the viewpoint from designing architectural object to designing atmosphere.
The timeless design of the proposed new Tzu Chi Foundation is born from the gesture of embracing this space and creating a ‘void’. This gesture takes the shape of two building masses coming together enveloping a central conical void at the heart of the building.
Creating an atmosphere of change, renewal, and flexibility, the ‘void’ connects all the programmatic elements together, seamlessly interlocking the various floors. The glazed interior façade allows for cross views between programs, furthering the interconnectivity of the Foundation and promoting learning by allowing the Tzu Chi patrons to learn from one another through action. It is a warmhearted reminder to Tzu Chi volunteers of their vision and collective ambition.