Project: Chi Lin & Nan Lian
Geo: Hong Kong, CH
I once mentioned that Asia is a little-explored phenomenon for me, which raises questions on literally every topic. On the other hand, I cannot fail to show you a traditional Chinese temple. Therefore, I will be restrained in my clerical musings. If you have anything to add or share, please do so in the comments.
On our agenda is a monastery and its adjacent garden. They are located in the northern part of Kowloon, where dense urban development gives way to forest. It resembles a portal to the 8th century. You are greeted by a complex of pagodas with multi-pitched roofs, elegant cornices, sturdy wooden beams, a Zen pond, and an interwoven chain of courtyards.
The reconstruction of the complex was completed in the 2000s, using a traditional self-locking system without a "single nail." In places of concentrated loads, complex dougong joints have been added (see the diagram): a kind of fan of horizontal brackets that support the cornice while distributing the forces from the roof onto the columns. Essentially, these joints act like wooden dampers: they allow for slight roof movement during oscillations without destruction. The heavy roof curvature is not rigidly tied to the foundation — the load cascades down: from the rafters to the base of the column. It somewhat resembles the foundation-independent roof of the airport in Gelendzhik.
If you step away from the structure and take a look around, you may suddenly find yourself in an idyllic picture created by a perfectionist landscaper. A garden with bonsais partially shrouded in mist, a pond with lilies and colorful fish, miniature bridges and waterfalls, intricate paved paths guiding you along a route known only to them. It truly invites you to stop and reflect on eternity.
Content of the Hong Kong cycle
@gorkjournal
3D · Render · Photo · Anim · GORK
Geo: Hong Kong, CH
I once mentioned that Asia is a little-explored phenomenon for me, which raises questions on literally every topic. On the other hand, I cannot fail to show you a traditional Chinese temple. Therefore, I will be restrained in my clerical musings. If you have anything to add or share, please do so in the comments.
On our agenda is a monastery and its adjacent garden. They are located in the northern part of Kowloon, where dense urban development gives way to forest. It resembles a portal to the 8th century. You are greeted by a complex of pagodas with multi-pitched roofs, elegant cornices, sturdy wooden beams, a Zen pond, and an interwoven chain of courtyards.
The reconstruction of the complex was completed in the 2000s, using a traditional self-locking system without a "single nail." In places of concentrated loads, complex dougong joints have been added (see the diagram): a kind of fan of horizontal brackets that support the cornice while distributing the forces from the roof onto the columns. Essentially, these joints act like wooden dampers: they allow for slight roof movement during oscillations without destruction. The heavy roof curvature is not rigidly tied to the foundation — the load cascades down: from the rafters to the base of the column. It somewhat resembles the foundation-independent roof of the airport in Gelendzhik.
If you step away from the structure and take a look around, you may suddenly find yourself in an idyllic picture created by a perfectionist landscaper. A garden with bonsais partially shrouded in mist, a pond with lilies and colorful fish, miniature bridges and waterfalls, intricate paved paths guiding you along a route known only to them. It truly invites you to stop and reflect on eternity.
Content of the Hong Kong cycle
@gorkjournal
3D · Render · Photo · Anim · GORK