Crane Pavilion at Crane Nature Memorial Preserve

Tai Kang Group, one of the largest private Chinese insurance companies, is bringing a spiritual sanctuary and memorial burial park to QianNing, a suburban area outside of city of Wuhan. The 400 sqm Crane Pavilion, perched on a hilltop overlooking the reserve, silently communicates with nature, as a meeting place between the burial site and reserve. A continuous folded plate, reminiscent of the simple folded form of a paper origami crane (QianZhiHe), is created to integrate public parking, a reception/café space, an open platform, crane living spaces, caretaker dorms, public bathrooms, and storage rooms in various elevation levels. Delicate creases are articulated in the cast-in-place white concrete. A hand-polished exterior protective finish was also applied. By connecting with nature in this tranquil setting, the light-filled spaces and expressive architecture create an atmosphere of respect for the deceased, and allow those who mourn them to find inner peace, strength, and comfort Credits: - GBBN ARCHITECTS, INC. - Chief Designer/Partner/Director GBBN Beijing - Zhaoqun (Jervy) Zhu - China Institute of Building Standard Design& Research - Chief Architect - Xin Tu - Taikang Healthcare Investment Holding Co., Ltd.,-Crane Lake Memorial Park - General Manager - Qian Wang - China Institute of Building Standard Design& Research - Deputy Director - Wanli Xing - Taikang Healthcare Investment Holding Co., Ltd., - CEO& Chief Designer - Ping Chen - China Institute of Building Standard Design& Research - Water Supply and Drainage Engineer - Yan Wang - China Institute of Building Standard Design& Research - Architect - Huarong Song - GBBN ARCHITECTS, INC. - PD - Jing Luo - Taikang Healthcare Investment Holding Co., Ltd.,-Crane Lake Memorial Park - Operation Director - Pan Wang - Taikang Healthcare Investment Holding Co., Ltd., - General Manager of Development Department - Xiaoyu Zhang - China Institute of Building Standard Design& Research - Electrical Engineer - Lingjie Huang - Yao Li Studio - Photographer - Li Yao - China Institute of Building Standard Design& Research - HVAC Engineer - Qiaohui Dong - China Institute of Building Standard Design& Research - Structural Engineer - Jingzhen Ding