a historical building reduced to its essential elements
O-office Architects has completed a renovation project called “The Old Church”, in Guangzhou as a challenge to conventional ideas of renewal. Instead of simply restoring what exists, ChurchThe architects turned to the renovation as a process of “older” rebirth. This strategy, which they call “demolition art,” involved a careful dismantling of the structure’s elements to expose its essential character and create a space deeply rooted in its historical and natural context.
From the outset, O-office Architects sought to uncover the layers of time embedded in the site. The weathered bricks and the marks left by the southern climate on the building’s surfaces provided the architects with clues that guided their design approach. This introspection led to a strategy that sought to preserve and highlight the building’s aged qualities rather than erase them.
Photos © Siming Wu
the old church: a rough and austere renovation
The renovation of the Old Church by O-office Architects involved a process of dismantling and carefully stripping and reusing the building materials. The cladding materials were removed by hand and the reinforced concrete panels along the roof were finely cut and separated. This methodical approach resulted in the building being left in a more raw and authentic state, closely connected to the natural landscape.
The Architects In addition, several banyan trees that have stood next to the church for years were preserved and integrated into the site as an organic element. These trees, as well as the stone windows and the unique geotechnical textures exposed after the veneer was removed, serve as a visible reminder of the passage of time. The remains of the building were collected and arranged in the “Old Garden” next to the church, creating a space where history and nature meet.
O-office Architects viewed the renovation as an “older” rebirth, using a strategy it calls “demolition art.”
Grid intervention by o-office architects
During the renovation of the Old Church, O-office Architects breathed new life into existing building materials such as rubble and granite gravel by incorporating them into the new concrete for the interior and exterior floors. This approach preserved the historical essence of the site while allowing the materials to continue their history in a new form, contributing to the contemporary yet timeless character of the renovation.
To create a spiritual connection between the space, nature and the surrounding environment, the architects implanted a multi-layered “cross” steel structure into the dismantled roof. A wooden frame was used to shape the light and shadow of the high subtropical sun, creating a dynamic play of light that reflects the changes and vitality of the Lingnan region. This thoughtful design adds a local vernacular to the historic religious space and connects different cultures and eras.
The architects preserved several banyan trees that had long existed next to the church
the essential character of the church and its connection to its context are preserved
The design process involved revealing the history of the building through the mining of materials
