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CRANE PAVILION AT CRANE NATURE PRESERVE | GBBN
Wuhan, ChinaDescription provided by GBBN. In Wuhan, one of the largest inland cities near China’s eastern coast, a spiritual sanctuary rises near a wetlands preserve.
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Across Asia, the red-crowned crane has long been associated with longevity, immortality, and spiritual transcendence. To help China’s Tai Kang Group bring a legend to life, we started with the simple form of a paper origami crane. Delicate creases are articulated in the hand-polished concrete exterior, cast with precision to hold glass panels that will ultimately enclose the space.
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An opening in the folds gives the small, intimate space an expansive view of surrounding wetlands and a place to watch cranes take flight during funeral ceremonies. A spiral stair in the café leads to a meditation platform beneath a skylight, reinforcing the sense of flight in a tranquil setting.
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Architectural Design
Tai Kang Group, one of the largest private Chinese insurance companies, is bringing a spiritual sanctuary and memorial burial park to QianNing, a suburban area outside of the city of Wuhan.
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The 4,305 sf Crane Pavilion, perched on a hilltop overlooking the reserve, silently communicates with nature, as a meeting place between the burial site and reserve. A continuous folded plate, reminiscent of the simple folded form of a paper origami crane (QianZhiHe), is created to integrate public parking, a reception/café space, an open platform, crane living spaces, caretaker dorms, public bathrooms, and storage rooms in various elevation levels.
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Delicate creases are articulated in the cast-in-place white concrete. A hand-polished exterior protective finish was also applied. By connecting with nature in this tranquil setting, the light-filled spaces and expressive architecture create an atmosphere of respect for the deceased and allow those who mourn them to find inner peace, strength, and comfort.
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