A glass walkway over the water leads to the chapel.
A glass walkway over the water leads to the chapel.

January 26, 2022

Words: Athena Waligore

Photography: Shen Zhonghai

UDG Crafts a Dramatic Chapel that Rotates to Follow the Sun in Sanya, China 

United Design Group (UDG), led by chief architect Yu Zhou, was inspired by nature for Dysis Chapel of Poly Shallow Sea in Sanya, China. The architects surrounded the triangular wooden chapel with a pool of water that cascades off of a stone base. During the day, the sound of falling water interacts with dappled sunlight and cast shadows. “The gurgle of water symbolizes the dialogue among time, space, and people,” the architects note. But the time to see this architectural marvel is at sunset. Set on a rotating base, the chapel follows the setting sun every day of the year. When the sun goes down—no matter the date or the season—it is always perfectly framed within the chapel’s central void.

A central void in the chapel frames sunsets.
A central void in the chapel frames sunsets.
Concrete columns support the chapel.
Concrete columns support the chapel.
Textured micro cement was used for exterior walls.
Textured micro cement is used for exterior walls.
Concrete circular walls surround the chapel.
Concrete circular walls surround the chapel.
Concrete pathways encircling the chapel feature views of the water.
Concrete pathways encircling the chapel feature views of the water.
The chapel features a bell tower.
The chapel features a bell tower.
Wood was used for the chapel’s interior.
Wood is used for the chapel’s interior.
A glass walkway over the water leads to the chapel.
A glass walkway over the water leads to the chapel.

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