Finishing Touches

I am always fascinated by the sudden transformation finishes can make to a construction site.

Doshisha is currently in that process of "getting finished"; covering up services, structure, like how our skin covers up our organs and bones.

Here are some photos from site as per yesterday FEB 23:

flooring to Student Lounge side, setting out from facade fins

ceiling to Chapel side (getting speakers and lighting installed too)

junction of inside and outside - water feature to outside getting tiled at the same time

tiling inside wetareas; setting out the 50mm x 50mm mosaic was not fun....

beautiful stones for the water feature

wall panelling to rear of Chapel hall

100 days of 五穀 Wu-Gu

We have obtained Occupational Certificate for Wu-Gu on the 100th day from the start of construction.

It was opened to family and friends on FEB 15, one fine Sunday afternoon.

Soft opening to public was on FEB 17 evening.

Despite the obstacles, the space was filled with a crisp joy.

It was one of those moments - the "never been happier for not giving up" moment.

Here are some photos from Sunday FEB 15 (photo: Eugene Wu)

Followed by slideshows of the construction.

 the facade.  It is completely openable to create a seamless inside-outside connection during the day, however with the current footpath condition (which is to be paved in a couple of months time) the client is shying off the idea for the time being.

 interesting how tables chairs and tableware can make such a big change in impression...
it was suddenly a restaurant whilst less than 24 hours ago it was a construction site.

  looking back at the entry

 the solid looking facade catches glimpses of street activity.
It was designed to screen out headlights from all directions at night and maintain a level of inside-outside visual connection, to ensure comfort of the patrons.

such lovely festivity, just in time for Chinese New Year celebrations!

on the mezzanine

Love the sense of space and volume

ground level

mezzanine level

Chapel Side is catching up!

Whilst the Student Lounge Side at Doshisha Chapel Complex is frantically getting ready for the academic staff to move in prior to the official opening to public, the Chapel Side is also steaming to catch up.

This is where we are as per yesterday 2015 FEB 10:

Student Lounge Side - ceiling all installed, marble rear feature wall completed.
Love the delicacy of the ceiling (if I may say so myself...).

Student Lounge Side - academic office starting to take shape

Chapel Side - ceiling half way through installation
Love how the natural light is interacting with the building volumes (IF I may say so myself!!)

Chapel Side - mezzanine to rear of Chapel Hall where the organ will be installed

Chapel Side - inside one of the meeting rooms across from the Chapel Hall mezzanine
Across the roof of entry one can gain visual connection to inside of the Chapel Hall

Chapel Side - entry
Wall tiling completed now moving onto floor tiling; the skylight brings natural light into the darkest spot of the entire complex and highlights the intersection of circulation