Temple for all ages

In a city where land is at such a premium, where the thud of the pile driver is a constant reminder of the upward mobility of its inhabitants, it is rare indeed to find single-storey structures being built and open space developed for public use. Add to this the fact that not a single screw, bolt or nail is to be hammered into many structures in this development, that they will add richness beyond imagination to the heritage of Hong Kong, and you have to wonder what fantastic theme park is being engineered. There is most definitely a theme to the Chi Lin Nunnery Redevelopment Project, but Disney it is not. On a 30,000-metre site in Diamond Hill, a Buddhist monastery complex modelled on the architectural style of the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) is in the process of being built. The development, in five phases, is well underway. Phases I and II, including care and residential facilities for the elderly, were completed at the end of 1993. More than 50 elderly people are now provided with day care and 352 people live in. The design, though modern, incorporates a traditional Chinese courtyard compound with plenty of natural light and air. Phase II included a library for Buddhist texts, a physiotherapy centre and nuns' quarters. But it is Phase III, which includes the wooden monastery compound of 16 halls, that is architecturally the most exciting. It is targeted to be completed by the end of next year. This project has taken years to come to fruition not just because of the bureaucracy involved but because thousands of hours spent researching the Tang methods of construction. 'Tang Buddhist architecture is famous for its classical magnificence, simple elegance and fine details,' says a Chi Lin spokesman. But while architects appreciated what Tang architecture looked like, their understanding of how to build the structures was minimal. Few Tang-style structures still stand and the secrets of their construction were lost many years ago. The only great Tang-style hall to have survived in China, the Great East Hall (857 AD) of the Foguang Monastery in Shanxi province, has been the inspiration for the Main Hall at Chi Lin. This will be the most important hall in the monastery, where magnificent statues of Buddha will stand. The elegant, curving 'hip' roof, which is eight rafters deep, is considered one of the most dignified designs in ancient Chinese architecture, says the spokesman. While the Great East Hall has seven bays, the design for the Main Hall has been modified to five to compensate for the topography and land area at Chi Lin. But it has been the brackets, the corner joints that support the overhanging roof, that have caused the most anxiety. Initially, it was thought the enormously complicated bracket set was purely ornamental. 'In fact, everything serves a structural purpose. The bracket set is like a buffer. It transfers evenly all the loading off the roof, to the column, on to the ground.' But finding out how the intricate bracket set, which contains no nails, was put together proved a major task. It is the most complicated and weakest part of the structure, mainly because of the pressure caused by rain and gravity on the bracket, which extends out more than five metres. Fortunately, masters students in the Department of Architecture at Hong Kong University were able to help solve the puzzle. 'The students were interested to know how the hall could stand for more than 1,000 years with only a little touching up here and there. The students put all the information from surveyors in Beijing into their computer and were able to work out the components of the bracket set. 'When the structural engineers worked out the calculations, they couldn't believe it had been done more than 1,000 years ago.' The jigsaw may have been pieced together but the Main Hall's structural problems did not end there. Around 1,000 years ago, the influence of Chinese architecture crossed the sea to Japan. The Toshodai-ji in Nara is the only other Tang-style hall still standing. While the two buildings are almost identical, the Toshodai-ji had shown weaknesses over the years. Research led to renovations to increase the slope of its roof and the eaves were thickened. 'There were two reasons for doing this. The Japanese experts considered that in their climate, the original roof gradient of 1:4 of the Tang design could not be effective against water. Secondly, as the protruding eaves were so large, they would eventually droop.' Architects at Chi Lin noted the experience of the Japanese and have incorporated extra beams into the Main Hall, while keeping it true to Tang style. Much of the engineering and structural work for Phase III is being carried out on the mainland where the expertise lies. Hundreds of craftsmen are employed and the main work on the buildings will be done there but the pieces brought to Hong Kong for assembly. 'We simply would not be able to afford for it to be done in Hong Kong. Simply applying for the workers to come here would be difficult. 'Most of the craftsmen are from Anhui. We don't have the specialists here.' The seven-tiered Wan Fo Pagoda, symbolising a gradual ascent in the purification of the mind, is the first structure that will be completed in the compound. Foundation work on the site is already completed and the parts are expected to arrive for assembly in July or August. Then work on the Main Hall will begin. As well as the structure, the details, including tile guards, door knockers, plinths, ceiling decorations and latticework windows, have been based on existing objects and architecture of the Tang Dynasty. The design on the Chi Lin tile guard is taken from the lotus pattern that appeared on tiles excavated from the site of a Tang bell tower in the Guangxiao Monastery in Guangzhou in 1989. Apart from decorating the eaves, the tile guards also help channel rain. As is traditional, the main buildings are set along a central axis, with the side buildings set symmetrically on the two sides to achieve a balanced effect. Phase IV of the redevelopment is a large landscaped garden, which is being created in conjunction with the Urban Council on public land and will be open to the public. A rare refuge in Hong Kong, the trees and plants will 'symbolise harmony with nature and the environment'. 'We do not think of this monastery as belonging to us, it is for the public. Once it is completed we will continue to promote the cultural, religious and social welfare services to the community. 'To build a totally new monastery is really a new challenge. That's why they have had the best 15 engineers and specialists in China working on it. They are very excited about this project. It is a way of promoting Chinese culture in Hong Kong. 'Besides providing a green belt for the area, it will offer religious, cultural, educational and social services to the community.' In the spirit of Buddhism, Phase V is a school for students with learning difficulties, due to open in mid-98. But the project combining ancient architecture with modern technology does not come cheap. It has been funded through donations. A 'one tile, one wish' programme for funds was started at the end of last year. 'We would like people to share in our venture. If they participate before it is built by donating just $100 or so, they will be able to come and say, 'Ah, that was the tile I bought'.' A scale model and exhibition of the development is open to the public at the Chi Lin Nunnery on Fun Tak Road, Diamond Hill.