Academician of China Engineering Academy He Jingtang reinterpreted the concept of traditional mosque with new materials and technologies by creating petal-shaped arches and petalous shells for the dome of the Da Chang Muslim Cultural Center in China. Specializing on cultural architecture, the architect was commissioned to design an iconic Cultural Center by the local government to introduce Dachang’s particular culture and enhance the soft power of the city.  

Encompassing a total of 35,000 square meters area, the national palace is thus endowed with multiple functions, serving not only as the recreation center of the city, but the essential cultural site for the introduction of local religion and history as well.

''It has undoubtedly brought lots of challenges to the designer, because of the special ethnic composition, historical context, religious belief, complex functional requirements of the site and the setting of a cultural landmark,'' said the architect.

Defined as ''a poetic sanctuary'' by He Jingtang, the building shows people both the brilliant Islamic culture and the architect's vision for a better life. The Da Chang Muslim Cultural Center is a homelike cultural center that provides a spiritual home for local residents especially Muslims.

Dachang County is a Muslim enclave near Beijing. Apart from its religious function, the complex includes other functions such as theatre, exhibition, convention and community center.

Based on traditional mosque, the building subtly interprets the spatial structure of mosque with new materials and technologies. The surrounding arches shrink into elegant curves from the bottom up, while the cambering petal-shaped arches of the reflection in the water look even more vivid and graceful. 

In the design of the project, Academician He Jingtang has also carried out his concept of "2 Views" and "3 Characters", with the starting point of holistic view and sustainable development concept, fully considering regionalism, cultural, and epochal character of the architecture, therefore presents us an excellent design

The dome sees the translation and abstraction of Islamic symbols rather than simple mimicking. We constitute the dome with petaloid shells and creatively transform the interior space into a semi-exterior roof garden flooded with sunshine, fresh air and vegetation. The Da Chang Muslim Cultural Center completed in 2015.

He Jingtang is the Academician of China Academy of Engineering, China Engineering Design Master and the winner of the First Liang Sicheng Architecture Prize (the highest award in China). He Jingtang is Dean, professor and Ph.D. supervisor in School of Architecture, and Director of Architectural Design & Research Institute, South China University of Technology.

The architect previously designed China Pavilion in World Expo 2010 Shanghai and the expansion project for Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders, leading Chinese modern architecture exploration towards the international advanced level. 

Project facts

Architectural design: Architectural Design & Research Institute  of SCUT

Interior design: Architectural Design & Research Institute  of  Scut, City group

Principal architect: He Jingtang

Design team: Guo Weihong, Pan Yudan, Zheng Changbo, Li Kaixin, Chen Zong, Wang Renyu, Huang Guannan

Investor: China Fortune Land Development Co., Ltd (CFLD)

Location: Dachang County, Hebei Province, China

Area: 35,000 sqm

Completion time: 2015

All images © Yao Li

> via He Jingtang