Bronze Architecture, Building and Structure Design · 2026
Resurgence Church
by Zehua Zhang
- A' Design Award 2026 Bronze Winner in Architecture, Building and Structure Design
- Awarded April 15, 2026
- CLIENT: Zehua Zhang
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 5,717
- Verification code A75F681C37 · Verify this award
About Resurgence Church
Resurgence is a new church in Altadena responding to post wildfire reconstruction needs. The design references the surrounding mountains through vertical, sculpted forms. Concrete, glass, and landscaped courtyards define the interior spaces, bringing daylight and creating calm environments. The project combines worship areas with community facilities, providing spaces for both spiritual practice and social interaction. It reflects local context while accommodating diverse community activities.
ZEHUA ZHANG's Resurgence Church engages the enduring architectural challenge of creating sacred space within contemporary design vocabularies, drawing upon mid-twentieth-century organic modernism while advancing those explorations through twenty-first-century parametric modeling capabilities and an integrated environmental sensibility that positions architecture as gracious participant within landscape rather than dominating monument. The design demonstrates remarkable compositional intelligence through its deployment of sweeping parabolic forms that establish rhythmic visual progression across the horizontal axis, creating a dynamic ensemble of curved volumes that seem to rise and fall like choreographed movement or musical phrasing, with each element contributing to an overall architectural symphony that balances monumentality with approachable human scale. The chromatic restraint achieves sophisticated effects through the interplay of pristine white primary volumes that capture and modulate ambient light with subtle tonal gradations, complemented by warm honey-toned vertical timber cladding that introduces organic materiality and textural richness, while the verdant landscape setting provides chromatic and formal counterpoint that grounds the ethereal architectural gestures within earthly fertility and natural growth. The technical execution suggests accomplished command of complex curvilinear geometry, requiring either advanced fabric tensile engineering, innovative concrete shell construction, or composite material molding to achieve the flowing, seemingly weightless surfaces that appear to billow and soar with effortless grace, while the integration of vertical timber elements within these curved forms demonstrates careful resolution of the junction between different material systems and the accommodation of functional requirements such as transparency, entry, and structural support within the sculptural formal language. The design invites contemplation of several thematic territories: the relationship between spiritual aspiration and earthly grounding, suggested by forms that simultaneously rise skyward yet embrace the landscape through their curving geometries; the dialogue between enclosure and openness, as the volumes both define interior sanctuary and dissolve boundaries through their flowing shapes and reflective pool setting; the temporal dimension of architecture, with forms that seem captured in eternal motion yet achieve serene stillness; and the integration of natural and built environments, as the organic curves echo landscape undulations, cloud formations, and water movements while maintaining distinct architectural identity. The work seems to participate in architectural conversations extending from Eero Saarinen's explorations of expressive concrete shells and Jørn Utzon's synthesis of geometric rigor with organic inspiration, through Frei Otto's tensile fabric investigations that revealed how minimal material could define maximal spatial poetry, toward contemporary parametric design practices that employ digital modeling to explore complex geometries previously difficult to conceive or construct, while the spiritual program connects to longstanding traditions of sacred architecture seeking to create environments that elevate consciousness and facilitate communal gathering through spatial qualities of light, proportion, and material expression. One might observe how the reflecting pool functions both practically as landscape element and symbolically as threshold between everyday world and sacred precinct, its still surface doubling the architectural forms and creating vertical axis that extends the composition's reach from earth toward sky, while the carefully cultivated vegetation including the prominent bonsai specimen suggests intentional cultivation and patient tending that parallel spiritual practice, and how might these flowing architectural forms, neither purely organic nor strictly geometric, invite reflection on the nature of sacred space in contemporary experience, spaces that honor tradition while speaking in languages resonant with present sensibilities and future aspirations?
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Resurgence is a contemporary church in Altadena, conceived as a spiritual and cultural catalyst after the wildfire. Inspired by surrounding mountain ridges, its sculpted concrete form rises vertically toward light-filled skylights, expressing renewal. A skylight atrium and courtyard weave nature, light, and community together, uniting sacred worship and civic life in a resilient beacon of collective healing and hope.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Single story building with overall dimensions of 45 meters in width, 45 meters in depth, and 18 meters in height.
- Tags
- Community renewal, cultural architecture, fluid form, concrete and light interplay, atrium with skylight, courtyard garden
- Production Technology
- Materiality and light shape the design. Concrete as the primary material, conveys weight and dignity while its smooth surfaces create a clean, harmonious space. A skylight courtyard and meditation garden establish a quiet dialogue between architecture and nature. Glass curtain walls guide daylight into the interior, forming a sacred, serene atmosphere. As light moves through the vertical spaces, it brings a continuous sense of ceremony and spiritual tension.
- Design Challenge
- The project faced the challenge of balancing spiritual, social, and cultural needs after wildfire loss. Internally, it required understanding Altadena’s history, community trauma, and collective memory. Externally, constraints included building codes, material limits, daylighting technology, and construction feasibility. Overcoming these involved iterative modeling, community feedback, and innovative use of concrete and glass to create a resilient, meaningful, and functional design.
- Project Duration
- The project started in August 2025 and was completed in December 2025
- Operation Flow
- This project operates through spatial flow and light manipulation. Its atrium and skylights transform daylight into dynamic patterns, guiding movement and fostering contemplation. Interaction occurs as visitors move between worship, community, and meditation spaces, experiencing shifts in scale, light, and material. Key frames include entrance, atrium, courtyard, and sanctuary. By harmonizing architecture, light, and landscape, it enhances spiritual and social engagement.
- Research
- Type of Research: Applied architectural and social research. Objectives: Explore architecture’s role in post-wildfire community renewal. Methodology: Community engagement, iterative modeling. Tools: Site analysis, surveys, models, 3D simulations. Participants: Residents, church leaders, community groups. Results and Insights: Mountain-inspired forms, light, and open spaces foster spiritual and social connection. Impact: Strengthens cohesion, cultural life, and human-centered design practices.
- Inspiration
- The design was inspired by Altadena’s post-wildfire recovery and the site’s mountainous landscape. I studied topography, light behavior, and community rebuilding models to shape a form that abstracts surrounding ridges into a vertical, light-filled sanctuary. Research into trauma-informed spaces and passive daylighting informed the atrium, courtyard, and concrete massing, creating a resilient structure that fosters healing, unity, and spiritual renewal.
Colors of Resurgence Church
Design Interview about Resurgence Church
The main principle behind the design is resilience through renewal, using architecture as a symbolic and functional response to collective recovery after the wildfire. Inspired by the mountainous landscape of the site, the church translates natural ridge like forms into a vertical architectural expression that embodies spiritual ascent and community strength. It reinterprets the idea of a church not only as a sacred space but also as a cultural and social anchor, where rebuilding becomes both a physical act and a symbolic gesture of hope, unity, and regeneration.
The main focus of the design is to create a space that supports both spiritual healing and community reconstruction after loss. The intention is to achieve an architecture that functions simultaneously as a place of worship, cultural gathering, and emotional refuge, where different layers of community life can coexist without conflict. By shaping the building through light, landscape, and material solidity, the design seeks to restore a sense of stability and dignity while encouraging openness, connection, and collective recovery.
The future plan for this design is to further refine it into a buildable and context-sensitive proposal that can realistically serve the community after the wildfire recovery process. It may be developed into a detailed architectural project with structural, environmental, and material studies, exploring how the symbolic concept of a mountain-like church can be translated into practical construction. Ultimately, the goal is to position RESURGENCE as a catalyst for real-world dialogue on post-disaster architecture, with the potential to be realized as a meaningful community landmark that supports long-term healing, cultural revival, and social cohesion.
The development of this concept took place over an intensive iterative design process, spanning several weeks of research, exploration, and refinement. It began with the study of post-disaster community needs and site-driven inspiration, followed by a gradual evolution of the architectural language through sketching, massing studies, and spatial testing. Over time, the idea matured from a conceptual response into a more defined architectural proposal, where form, structure, light, and program were carefully integrated into a cohesive expression of resilience and renewal.
This concept was developed as an independent, self-initiated exploration. The design emerged from an interest in how architecture can act as a symbolic and functional force for healing after disaster, especially through spaces that combine spiritual, cultural, and communal roles. By translating the language of mountainous forms into architecture, the project seeks to express stability and uplift, while also exploring how a church can evolve into a more inclusive civic landmark that supports both faith and everyday community life.
The project is an independent design exploration, and there are no external companies involved in its production or use. The intention is to continue developing it personally, refining the concept and technical aspects while maintaining full creative control. At this stage, there are no plans to sell or lease production rights; instead, the focus is on evolving the work as a self-driven architectural proposal, with the possibility of guiding it toward future realization through direct involvement in its development.
This work was driven by an interest in how architecture can respond meaningfully to collective trauma and rebuilding, transforming loss into an opportunity for renewal. The choice to design a church and community hub was intentional, as it allows sacred and social functions to merge within one inclusive framework, supporting both spiritual reflection and everyday gathering. The mountain-inspired form was developed to express stability, endurance, and aspiration, using familiar natural imagery to create an emotional connection between people, place, and memory while reinforcing the idea of rising and rebuilding together.
The design is primarily self-driven and conceptually original, without direct influence from specific architects or precedents. It emerged from personal exploration of themes such as resilience, spirituality, and post-disaster renewal, as well as an abstract reading of natural landscapes and mountainous forms. Rather than referencing particular designers, the project develops its own architectural language by translating emotional and environmental ideas into spatial form, focusing on creating a unique response to collective healing and community reconstruction.
The target users of this design are local residents and the wider community, with an emphasis on creating an inclusive space that supports people of all ages, backgrounds, and beliefs. It is intended to serve both as a place of worship and a civic gathering hub, responding to everyday needs as well as moments of reflection and healing. By combining spiritual, cultural, and social functions, the design aims to strengthen community bonds and provide a shared environment for connection, recovery, and collective growth.
What sets this design apart is its integration of spiritual, cultural, and community functions into a single unified architectural narrative that is deeply rooted in the idea of collective renewal. Rather than treating the church as an isolated sacred object, it redefines it as an active civic landscape shaped by the metaphor of a mountain, where form, light, and spatial flow embody resilience and ascent. The strong dialogue between sculptural massing, natural light, and landscape-inspired abstraction creates a distinctive emotional atmosphere, making the building not only a place of worship but also a symbol of recovery and shared identity.
The name Resurgence was chosen to directly express the central idea of the project: renewal after loss and the collective rising of a community through adversity. It reflects both a physical and emotional rebuilding process, where architecture becomes a catalyst for healing, reconnection, and hope. The word also suggests movement and energy—something that emerges again with strength—aligning with the design’s mountain-inspired form that rises upward, symbolizing faith, resilience, and the continuous rebirth of communal spirit.
The design was developed using a combination of digital tools that supported both conceptual exploration and detailed visualization. Rhinoceros (Rhino) was used for 3D modeling and form development, allowing the mountain-inspired massing and spatial relationships to be tested and refined. CAD tools were applied for technical drawings and layout precision, while Photoshop was used for post-production, diagramming, and presentation refinement. Rendering tools were employed to study light, materiality, and atmosphere, helping to communicate the emotional and spatial qualities of the architecture in a realistic and immersive way.
The most unique aspect of the design is its transformation of a natural mountain landscape into an architectural language that embodies both spiritual ascent and collective resilience. Rather than treating form, landscape, and function as separate elements, the project fuses them into a continuous spatial experience where massing, light, and circulation all express the idea of renewal. This integration allows the building to function simultaneously as a sacred space, a community hub, and a symbolic landmark of recovery, making the architecture itself a narrative of rising, healing, and unity.
This project was developed independently as a personal design exploration, without formal collaboration with other designers or technical specialists. The work was driven by self-directed research and iterative design development, where technical aspects such as form-making, spatial organization, and visualization were explored through individual study and digital tools. While it did not involve external consultants or collaborators, the process still engaged multiple architectural disciplines—including structure, material thinking, and environmental response—through personal investigation and design experimentation.
Technology plays a key role as both a design development tool and a means of communicating atmosphere and spatial intent in this project. Digital modeling software enables the exploration of complex, mountain-inspired forms and supports the iterative refinement of spatial relationships, structure, and circulation. Visualization and rendering technologies are equally important in translating abstract concepts into tangible experiences, particularly in expressing light, materiality, and emotional depth within the space. Overall, technology acts as a bridge between concept and reality, allowing the architectural vision of resilience and renewal to be precisely developed and clearly conveyed.
Yes, the design is informed by analytical research, particularly environmental performance studies that help shape both form and spatial experience. During the design process, sunlight and daylight analysis were used to understand how natural light enters and moves through the vertical spaces, guiding the placement of skylights and the central atrium to enhance the symbolic effect of light as a spiritual element. In addition, wind environment simulations were conducted to evaluate airflow around and within the building, helping to refine the massing and ensure comfortable, sheltered outdoor and transitional spaces. These analyses support the concept by grounding its expressive form in environmental logic, ensuring that the architecture is both poetic and responsive to real climatic conditions.
One of the main challenges was balancing the strong sculptural, mountain-like form with functional clarity and spatial efficiency, ensuring the expressive massing did not compromise usability or circulation. Another difficulty was integrating multiple programs—sacred, community, and cultural—within a unified architectural language while still maintaining clear separation and harmony between them. Additionally, translating the conceptual ideas of light, resilience, and emotional healing into precise spatial and environmental strategies required continuous iteration, especially when aligning the design with structural feasibility and daylighting performance.
The decision to submit this design to an international competition came from a desire to test the concept within a broader architectural dialogue and to see how it resonates beyond a local or academic context. The project deals with universal themes such as loss, resilience, and community rebuilding, so entering an international platform felt appropriate for sharing these ideas with a wider audience. It also provided an opportunity to receive critical feedback, challenge the design at a higher level of evaluation, and explore its potential for further development and real-world relevance.
During the development of this work, I strengthened my ability to translate abstract emotional and conceptual ideas into coherent architectural form. I improved my understanding of how spatial organization, light, and material choices can work together to express meaning, especially in emotionally sensitive contexts such as post-disaster recovery. The process also enhanced my technical skills in digital modeling, environmental analysis, and visualization, while deepening my awareness of how architecture can balance symbolism with functionality. Overall, the project helped me grow in both conceptual thinking and design execution, particularly in creating architecture that is both expressive and grounded in real-world conditions.
One important aspect not yet emphasized is the human-centered design philosophy that underpins the entire project. Beyond its symbolic form and environmental strategy, Resurgence is fundamentally designed around people—their emotions, behaviors, and everyday needs during processes of recovery and reconnection. Every spatial decision prioritizes human experience, from the gentle transition between sacred and communal spaces, to the use of natural light as a calming and grounding presence. The design seeks to create dignity, comfort, and inclusiveness, ensuring that individuals not only find a place for spiritual reflection, but also a welcoming environment for interaction, support, and collective healing.