Oculus Sanctuary

The initial building, the UNESCO Mediation Space, is located in Paris and was designed by Tadao Ando in 1995. It is known for its minimalist design and serene atmosphere. As the name of the building shows, sought to offer a tranquil retreat inspired by Japanese aesthetics and Zen principles.

The use of raw concrete for the building is intended to express the qualities of the entry of natural light, as it plays a crucial role in the interior space. In this proposal, we tried to break the limits of the initial building which had a continuous and unified circulation while maintaining its simplicity.

First of all we decided to continue working with the same form by changing the materiality and the roof. The circular opening in the roof will allow light to enter from a central oculus, as in the Pantheon in Rome.

The movement of the sun throughout the day creates a sense of circulation within the space and its the space and its reflection gives a diffuse glow on the interior surfaces. The horizontal direction of the concrete emphasises the entry of light into the space.

Recent projects