In a seamless choreography of spatial rhythm and tectonic expression, the architectural vocabulary of this cultural centre reinterprets the Roman barrel vault through a contemporary lens, invoking a powerful interplay between past and present, permanence and openness; the vaulted forms, reminiscent of classical typologies, are no mere aesthetic homage but are recontextualised as functional and symbolic devices that anchor the building within its civic landscape while choreographing flows of movement and light, suggesting a layered narrative of continuity, transparency, and invitation; this synthesis of historical geometry with technological precision creates a porous interface where built form and public life intertwine, as evidenced in the building’s orchestration of shaded arcades, elevated gardens, and tiered promenades that articulate a pedagogical openness emblematic of its function as a hybrid space—part cultural forum, part urban infrastructure; the spatial sequence guides visitors through fluid circulatory systems, gently framed by the repetition of curvilinear structures whose material warmth contrasts the urban density, offering both symbolic resonance and environmental comfort; a case in point is the integration of the Fengshan Cultural House, where the vaults delineate not only shelter but also orientation and gathering, allowing programs to unfold within and around them without rigid partition, creating a dynamic threshold between interior and exterior life; in sum, the architecture transcends mere enclosure to become a mediator of collective experience, reviving the civic ideals of Roman architecture—legibility, durability, and sociability—while adapting them to the layered complexities of the contemporary city.
