Zigeng Wang

Architect and associate professor Zigeng Wang is known for uniting traditional Chinese craftsmanship with experimental design. For ‘Vault of Heaven’, Wang reinterprets ancient Chinese cosmology through a kinetic dome crafted from recycled green construction nets—those iconic mesh wraps from China's building sites—and woven bamboo, an age-old material once used in lanterns and canopies. The result is a dynamic sculpture that merges cultural heritage with modern engineering.

Drawing inspiration from Han Dynasty carvings, the I Ching, and Zhuangzi's "Equalising All Things," the installation invites visitors to enter a swirling cosmos where images of birds, rabbits, clouds, and deer seamlessly transform into an endless cycle. A custom four-channel soundscape by composer Xiao He completes the immersive experience with ever-shifting music that reflects nature's rhythms and reinforces the Daoist belief in interconnectedness and renewal.

More than an artwork, Vault of Heaven offers a meditation on sustainability and coexistence. By repurposing discarded materials and collaborating with a network of 11 architecture firms and skilled craftspeople, the project demonstrates how design can shift our relationship with the environment—from one of control to one of care and regeneration.

UAP was honoured to collaborate with Zigeng Wang's team, contributing fabrication expertise and engineering support to bring this ambitious vision to life. Together, we transformed recycled industrial waste into a poetic, kinetic space that reimagines tradition for today's global stage.