All Together Under the Umbrella by Cheng Tsung FENG Design Studio

Curated by Miwa Negoro, All Together Under the Umbrella is an innovative pavilion by Cheng Tsung FENG Design Studio that reinterprets traditional Hakka culture through contemporary architecture. Inspired by the Hakka oil-paper umbrella—a symbol of wholeness, reunion, and human connection—this project transforms cultural symbolism into a dynamic, immersive spatial experience.

The oil-paper umbrella, deeply rooted in Hakka tradition, carries a profound significance: it embodies destiny, encounters guided by chance, and the interdependence of people, as reflected in the Chinese character for "umbrella" (傘), which contains multiple representations of the character for "person" (人). Drawing from this layered cultural meaning, Feng elevates the umbrella motif into an architectural narrative that blends craft, geometry, and human-scale interaction.

The pavilion features three monumental umbrellas radiating outward like protective canopies. Feng’s design process involved meticulous study of traditional umbrella construction, analyzing proportions, joinery, and structural intricacies. Through deconstruction and recomposition, he reimagines the umbrella’s skeletal ribs into a harmonious, sheltering installation where visitors are invited to pause, gather, and experience a sense of shared presence.

At the heart of the pavilion lies a central pocket garden, encircled by wooden benches that foster interaction and reflection. The canopies are crafted from perforated canvas, allowing sunlight and air to filter through during the day, creating a living canopy of light. At night, the structure glows softly like a lantern, while its angled surfaces channel rainwater naturally, maintaining the umbrella’s traditional function while amplifying its presence at architectural scale.

The radiating geometry of the three umbrellas creates a kaleidoscopic effect, shifting with every viewpoint. Visitors are immersed in an experience that blends the fantastical with the intimate, evoking feelings of serenity, wonder, and imaginative escape. By translating Hakka craftsmanship into a contemporary architectural form, Feng creates a pavilion that is both a cultural homage and a living, inhabitable artwork.

All Photographs are works of  Fixer Photographic Studio