Folded Flight

Tai Kang Group, Crane Pavilion at Crane Nature Memorial Preserve

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Wuhan, China | 2,000 SF

In Wuhan, one of the largest inland cities near China’s eastern coast, a spiritual sanctuary rises near a wetlands preserve.

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.

A spiral stair in the café leads to a meditation platform beneath a skylight, reinforcing the sense of flight in a tranquil setting.

An opening in the folds give the small, intimate space an expansive view of surrounding wetlands and a place to watch cranes take flight during funeral ceremonies.


Architizer A+Awards, Finalist

AIA Cincinnati Architecture Merit Award

Plan Awards Finalist

International Design Award, Architecture Bronze Prize