Rows of perforated aluminium shades intended to represent the feathers of an eagle shield the facade of this concrete and glass church in the Taiwanese city of Tainan.

Tainan Tung-Men Holiness Church was designed by local studio MAYU Architects for a site surrounded by residential buildings in the city on Taiwan's southwest coast.
The architects said building was prompted by an epiphany experienced by the church's pastor, which also directly influenced the symbolism applied throughout the design.

"This project originates from a vision that the pastor received from God," said MAYU Architects. "[The church] symbolises an eagle as a biblical metaphor and is like an airport, serving as a boarding gate for non-believers to enter into God's kingdom." Spaces on the building's ground floor and basement level are dedicated to public functions including a coffee shop and a bookstore, which serve to invite the public into the church.

The concrete building features a glazed facade that enhances its connection with the surrounding neighbourhood.
Metal screens fixed in front of this surface are twisted to soften the church's appearance and create a flowing effect intended to resemble the soft and flexible feathers of a bird.

"The aluminium perforated screens or 'feathers' on the church exterior pay homage to the eagle metaphor, connecting this contemporary architecture to the members of the church on the emotional level," said the architects.
"Loo...