Church of Seed is located at Luofu Mountain Scenery District - one of the seven famous
Taoist Mountains in China. Although there are various kinds of Taoist and Buddhist
temples in this district, western religious element has not yet been found. Besides
developing private houses, the client in this project intends to develop a small church
for the surrounding village people in order to widen the spectrum of religious culture.
This church provides not only worship and meditation space for Christians, but also
recreational and gathering places for the surrounding village people. Instead of
promoting Christian religion actively and aggressively, the message of religion is
communicated subtly through the play of light and shadow in this architecture.

Situated within the beautiful landscape of Luofu Mountain, Church of Seed has an area
of 280m2 and can accommodate 60 people. The design concept is triggered by the form of
a seed - a famous metaphorical element in the Gospel stories. A curve line follows the
outline of a seed and marks the enclosing wall element. The curve is then split into
three parts, and three entries are formed at where the curve wall splits: the south
east facing wall has a cross shape opening which introduces morning sun into the
interior; the west facing wall is solid and blocking the afternoon sun; the north
facing wall is thicken to accommodate toilet facility. The stepping roof terrace allows
diffuse northern daylight into the interior and provides a dramatic headroom increment
(3 – 12 meters) from the main entrance towards the worshiping space. Visitors can walk
up to the stepping roof terrace, arrive at the observation deck and enjoy the distant
view of mountain and water.

Church of Seed has a raw, natural and non-decorative material language. The main
structure is constructed by in-situ concrete with bamboo formworks. In-situ concrete
construction is economically sound and practical for local builders. The bamboo texture
left on the concrete surface reduces the massiveness of concrete wall and harmonizes
with the surrounding trees and green landscape. Plus the transparent windows and doors,
and the handmade bamboo furniture by local farmers, the presence of the church is
humble and close to village life.

Although a seed is the starting point of this design, the church does not intend to
literally illustrate its image. The abstract form and space of the church is conveyed
through the play of light, shadow, material and texture. This is not a piece of
architecture which purely celebrates its sculptural form, but a building which respects
the natural environment and local culture.
 
 

位置 中国广东惠州
基地面积 1200平方米
建筑面积 280平方米
现况 2011年建成
建筑设计师 构诗建筑
项目建筑师 广州市建工设计院
结构咨询 广州市建工设计院
机电咨询 广州市建工设计院
施工单位 茂名市建筑集团有限公司
 
 

种子教堂位于中国道教七大名山之一的罗浮山景区。罗浮山景区附近拥有道冠、庙宇和佛寺等多种
宗教活动场所，但西方宗教元素欠奉。本项目的业主希望在发展私人房地产以外，为当地居民兴建
一所小型教堂，扩大当地的宗教文化维度。有别于传统的教堂，这所教堂不单止为基督教团体提供
敬拜及退修的场地，建筑物本身亦是一个多功能空间，让当地村民在此休憩及联谊。宗教信仰在此
处并不是强加于人的教条，而是在建筑的光与影中含蓄地让人感悟的信息。

种子教堂面积约280平方米，可容纳60人，坐落于罗浮山的秀美山峦与湖光之中。设计的概念由一颗
种子开始 – 种子既是圣经福音书中的闻名比喻，亦象征着生命的开端及大自然的奥妙。平面图以
种子的有机意象作为起点，画出一条围合内部的曲线墙体，然后墙体一分为三，破口处成为三个大
小不一的出入口。面向东南的墙体引入十字架开洞，为教堂内部引入早晨的曙光；面向西面的墙体
厚实无窗，遮挡烈日，并放置楼梯通向屋面梯级式花园；面向北面的墙体增厚而形成卫生间和后勤
用房。梯级式的屋面结构造就了向北开天窗的可能性，为教堂内部引入柔和的日光。访者首先从北
面尺度较小的入口进入教堂内部，而梯级式的屋面结构由北向南逐步增高，令内部空间由单层的入
口处演变成12米高的庄严敬拜空间。访者步出教堂后，沿西面户外楼梯可直达屋面花园，顺着梯级
式花园举步而上，可到达观景平台，远眺罗浮山景色。而梯级式花园本身亦是一个户外敬拜及分享
的场所。

种子教堂整体上运用了一种粗犷自然、不加修饰的材料语言。通过和施工单位的多番讨论，所有墙
体以竹模板现浇混凝土进行建造。现浇混凝土既符合经济原则，亦是当地施工队较有经验的做法。
而竹模板在墙体表面留下的痕迹弱化了墙体的庞大尺度，为刚硬的混凝土加入丝丝秀气，亦和四周
的自然景观相呼应。再加上朴实的玻璃门窗，和农民自做的桌椅，种子教堂以最平易近人、最贴近
乡村生活的方式呈现。

纵然本设计以种子作为思考的起点，但无意将其具象化而加以表现。建筑物以其粗犷的语言及巧妙
的光影运用抽象地呈现其独特性和空间感。这不是一所纯粹表现建筑形式的雕塑性建筑，而是尊重
当地文化、与大自然和谐共处的有机建筑。