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.