When it comes to architecture, the idea that 'as above, so below' often sparks both fascination and debate. KHAA, a design firm led by Hsuyuan Kuo alongside Effie Huang and Jing-Jia Huang, has embarked on a project that challenges traditional perceptions of steel structures. This initiative, commissioned by a long-standing Taiwanese steel company, aims to shift the common view of steel from a symbol of heaviness and rigidity to one of delicacy and adaptability. But here’s where it gets controversial: can steel truly be transformed into something that feels light and flexible, or is this just a poetic illusion?
This project, titled 'AS ABOVE SO BELOW,' envisions steel not as a monolithic, industrial material but as a series of three gentle architectural compositions. Each piece acts like a verse in a poetic song, subtly expressing themes of softness and movement rather than brute strength. The entire design spans a modest 60 square meters and is expected to be completed by 2025, with the lead architect Hsuyuan Kuo and her team at KHAA guiding the vision.
Set in the vibrant city of Xihu, the project leverages structural engineering expertise from Envision to bring these poetic visions to life. Architecturally, the team seeks to reframe how steel is perceived—transforming it from merely a functional material into an expressive element capable of conveying poetry and song.
For those interested in exploring this project further, a detailed gallery showcases the project's evolution and final form. It’s also worth noting that this effort is part of a broader conversation about the cultural and aesthetic possibilities of industrial materials, challenging us to reconsider what we associate with steel in architecture.
And this is the part most people miss: the true power of such projects lies in their ability to inspire new ways of thinking about materials and construction. Could this approach influence future architectural trends? Or does it risk romanticizing steel at the expense of practicality? What’s your take—are poetic reinterpretations of industrial materials the future of design, or just a fleeting artistic experiment? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
