‘the bamboo lantern’ by atelier FCJZ image courtesy atelier FCJZ

atelier FCJZ have designed the bamboo lantern, a dialogue between opposites. the floor plan, a circle nested within a square, draws from ancient chinese symbolism with the square representing earth and the circle representing the heavens. the directionality inherent in the square is used to organize the surrounding exterior viewing space while the stillness of the circular shape that defines the interior intimately collects the ‘rest space.’ 

atelier FCJZ : bamboo lantern - 2 ‘the bamboo lantern’ image courtesy atelier FCJZ

atelier FCJZ : bamboo lantern - 3 ‘the bamboo lantern’ image courtesy atelier FCJZ

atelier FCJZ : bamboo lantern - 4 indentations of ‘the bamboo lantern’ image courtesy atelier FCJZ

atelier FCJZ : bamboo lantern - 5 indentations of ‘the bamboo lantern’ image courtesy atelier FCJZ

the depth of the indentations across the exterior surface of the box change in relation to the thickness of its walls; the corners are deepest while the middle of each side of the box is thinnest. when viewed in perspective, tension is revealed between the circular interior space and the square exterior. from the outside the varying indentations hint at the cylindrical form of the interior space. from the interior, the opposite occurs as the changing depth of the indentations on the cylindrical space hint at the square exterior.

atelier FCJZ : bamboo lantern - 6 ‘the bamboo lantern’ split in two image courtesy atelier FCJZ

atelier FCJZ : bamboo lantern - 7 ‘the bamboo lantern’ split in two image courtesy atelier FCJZ

the bamboo lantern is split in two halves that can be separated to allow visitors to enter and occupy its interior. a circular hole occupies the center of the floor-plane of the interior space providing standing room for a few people. the small size of the hole ensures ample space in the interior by limiting the number of people when the two halves of the box come together. when the box is closed, visitors may sit on the floor-plane and enjoy the small meditation space.

atelier FCJZ : bamboo lantern - 8 ‘the bamboo lantern’ connected together image courtesy atelier FCJZ

atelier FCJZ : bamboo lantern - 9 ‘the bamboo lantern’ split in two image courtesy atelier FCJZ

atelier FCJZ : bamboo lantern - 10 inside ‘the bamboo lantern’ image courtesy atelier FCJZ

atelier FCJZ : bamboo lantern - 11 inside ‘the bamboo lantern’ image courtesy atelier FCJZ

atelier FCJZ : bamboo lantern - 12 ‘the bamboo lantern’ illuminated image courtesy atelier FCJZits structure is built of transparent vacuum-formed and welded plastic (PVC) while its skin is .3mm bamboo veneer. the artificial material of its interior is covered by the natural beauty of bamboo skin. when the bamboo lantern is open and only lit by natural light, the box appears as a heavy solid mass. when the bamboo lantern is closed, it is illuminated by internal lights.

atelier FCJZ : bamboo lantern - 13 ‘the bamboo lantern’ image courtesy atelier FCJZ

credits project: bamboo lantern clients: gwamgju design biennale completion: 2009 principal: yung ho chang project architect: jimmy shen project team: qingmin guo photographs: atelier FCJZ