Mirage Meets Ritual: 'The Hometown Moon' Chapel in China

Nestled into the hills of Tai’an, Shandong, near Mount Tai. The Hometown Moon is a ceremonial chapel sculpted from the landscape itself. Designed by SYN Architects under the direction of Zou Yingxi, this striking half‑sphere structure appears to hover above a reflective pool, creating the illusion of a full moon. Beneath the surface lies a subterranean chamber housing a unique ceremony hall.

Sculptural Illusion in Nature

Your first impression: a glowing semi‑sphere rising from a mirror‑like body of water. In daylight it mimics a full moon; at night its illuminated form seems to float above the surface. This effect is by design, a meeting of architecture and symbolism that plays with perception. The rest of the sphere disappears underground, forming a hidden, cave‑like ceremonial space.

Ceremony with Symbolism

The chapel serves as a venue for rituals, particularly weddings, inside a double‑height hall where the lower half of the moon reveals itself. A moss‑covered rockscape and minimal decor evoke the surrounding mountains, inviting presence and reflection. No artificial lights are needed daylight suffices to transform the interior, while the curved “moon” wall doubles as a natural echo chamber.

A Journey Into the Moon

Visitors approach the Moon via a gravel path, crossing a mountain stream and forested terrain. The walk builds anticipation, leading to the location where the chapel sits beside the Hometown Cloud observation deck. The two structures play off each other, as symbolic counterparts within a broader 55 km² revitalization masterplan.

Architecture Rooted in Ritual

Zou Yingxi explains his intent clearly:

“Each architecture has two destinies: being destroyed or being protected. … I hope that the moon can become this kind of architecture. Even if it disappears in time, it will still exist in our spiritual world.”

His vision is to create architecture that resonates emotionally and spiritually, becoming a cultural symbol regardless of its physical permanence.

Philosophy in Form

From Taoist notions of emptiness to Confucian heritage and Buddhist harmony, the design evokes multiple layers of Chinese philosophy. The chapel reinterprets yin and yang, its upper moon and subterranean cavity blending dualities into one spiritual narrative.