Athene Ho
Ancestral Hall
Ancestral Hall
Historically, religious practices have been the primary drivers of beautiful architecture, which in turn has served as a vessel for cultural expression and preservation. Architecture has cultivated discourse, shaped culture, and prevented it from fading away—it is the proof of a culture.
This thesis investigates the modern feasibility of using architecture to convey culture by examining the Ancestral Hall of Southeast China and the practice of ancestral worship. As younger generations of Cantonese people have grown up overseas, many have lost touch with their traditions. Without the physical presence of architecture, these cultural rituals are inaccessible. Unlike churches, ancestral halls do not worship a universal deity, and the fragmentation of clans has made it challenging to create architecture that serves this purpose. However, the generational migration of Cantonese people underscores the importance of cultural unity. Drawing on examples from other immigrant groups, a place of worship could unite all people of Cantonese descent, making the ancestral hall a potential solution.
A new ancestral hall overseas could convey traditional culture by combining elements of traditional Chinese architecture with modern building technology, updating its functionality to serve a broader audience. The design strategy incorporates aspects of mountains and water, inspired by Chinese horizontal viewing scrolls. The roof massing reflects a continuous range of peaks and ravines, while the use of mass timber enhances the hall’s warmth and welcoming atmosphere, allowing for a larger footprint to accommodate multiple worshippers. Traditional ornaments are tailored to each event and the private rituals each family wishes to perform.
While a traditional ancestral hall balances relationships within a clan, the new hall would balance relationships among clans in the same region. This ancestral hall would unify the community, renew interest in traditional culture, and create, convey, and preserve culture, as architecture is meant to do.
Render - Overview
Floor Plan
Render - Floor Plan
Render - Section
Render - Front Hall
Render - Courtyard
Render - Courtyard 2
Render - Back Hall
Render - Roof Drawing
Render- Roof Drawing Entry
Render- Roof Drawing Front Hall
Render - Roof Drawing Courtyard 1
Render - Roof Drawing Mid Hall
Render - Roof Drawing Courtyard 2
Render - Roof Drawing Back Hall