Mountain Church of Julong
Set in the tranquil Julong New Town of Quanzhou, China, this serene environment invites visitors to pause and find inner peace, drawing people from various regions who, over time, bring together a blend of diverse personalities and cultures. Positioned at the foot of a mountain, the church, surrounded by lush forests, stands as a local landmark. Its ark-like form evokes the story of Noah’s Ark, offering a sanctuary of spiritual refuge that gently embraces this close-knit community of new residents.
INUCE Architecture contemplated how to create a sacred space that resonates with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, blending harmoniously with the grand natural landscape. The design team sought answers within the Bible to define the church’s purpose and mission. After extensive discussions, an elder referenced Matthew 16:18, “I will build my church on this rock.” This verse became the conceptual foundation, with the church envisioned as an ark afloat in the world, anchored in faith, guiding those far from home to find a safe haven here.
From a distance, the lower half of the building, formed with granite slabs resembling terraced fields, projects stability and confidence. This solid base accommodates various flexible spaces and supports the sanctuary above, where GRC panels lend a natural texture to the ark-like form, translating biblical imagery into a tactile experience that embodies the building’s core spirit. Entering the church, the bright worship hall, bordered by glass walls, blurs the indoor-outdoor boundary, embracing all of nature as part of the worship experience. Ascending to the upper sanctuary, visitors are welcomed into an open atrium where the surrounding forest whispers softly, bringing them back to the grace of nature.
INUCE delved into the past, present, and future development of Julong, embedding this new church with profound cultural and societal significance within China’s largely atheistic environment. Moving away from conventional architectural norms, the church draws inspiration from Christian scriptures while meeting functional needs, blending modern design elements to fulfill multiple layers of expectations. This architecture challenges narrow definitions of religion, underscoring the importance of fostering social harmony and development.
Principal Designer：Dr.-Ing. Dirk U. Moench
Character of Space：Church, Community Centre
Gross Floor Area：3,000 m2
Structural Engineer：FJADI Fuzhou
Materials：Glass Fiber Reinforced Cement（GRC）
Location：Fujian Province, China
