Tzu Chi Jing Si Center
A spectacular 11,500 m² project in Muar, Malaysia, featuring hand-crafted Bomanite Exposed Aggregate and intricate pebble wash finishes for a serene NGO community center.
A Spectacular Home of Peace and Harmony
Located in Muar, Johor, Malaysia, the Tzu Chi Jing Si Center stands as a serene landmark for the Tzu Chi Foundation, a global NGO dedicated to charity and humanity. This spectacular project was designed to provide a "home" for children and members, housing a grand assembly hall, a bookstore, a café, and a kindergarten.
Artistry in Textures and Tones
The design language of the center features a custom Bomanite Exposed Aggregate System. These materials were skillfully plastered and washed to create a three-dimensional surface where the pebbles protrude prominently. A hallmark of the project’s aesthetic is the precision of the cemented groove lines, which were aligned equidistantly and horizontally to showcase the meticulous care executed throughout the site.
Engineering Craftsmanship at Scale
The project demanded an extraordinary level of manual labor and technical skill, involving the manual movement and application of 220 tons of pebbles and 37.5 tons of cement. The installation team faced significant structural challenges. Additionally, meticulous workmanship was required for the "little huts" constructed atop 200 gate and fence pillars surrounding the development.
Overcoming Vertical and Environmental Challenges
One of the greatest technical feats involved the 5-storey bare back wall of the center building. Accessible only externally via scaffolding, the team utilized safety harnesses to mix pebbles inside the building and hoist them through windows, plastering the wall square foot by square foot. Despite the immense physical difficulty and the disruptions caused by COVID-19 lockdowns between June and August 2021, the project was successfully completed in April 2022.
The Outcome
The Tzu Chi Jing Si Center is a spectacular masterpiece of urban architecture that provides a calming and peaceful environment. By merging traditional craftsmanship with durable Bomanite Exposed Aggregate systems, the center successfully creates a beautiful "home" that reflects the foundation's mission to build peace and harmony within society.