糖廍為設計發想的起點
長榮大學位於臺南市歸仁區，所在土地一兩百年前最重要的經濟活動是製糖，學校在構思代表學校特色的建築時，想到了糖廍（製糖的場所，廍讀音同「部」）。糖廍一般以竹木搭建，由環狀柱列圍塑出圓形空間，搭配圓錐體屋頂。以此為初步的發想，我們開始設計了長榮竹構集會堂，完成後校方名之為「長榮堂」。
具儀式感的校園核心空間
長榮堂是校園的核心空間，圓形的空間本身具有儀式感，穹頂上通風換氣的太子樓也是天光的入口。左右完全對稱的室內舞台、掛在竹桁架中間的十字架竹風鈴與地面的銅條分割，皆是為了使圓形平面出現方向性，引導室內使用者的目光延軸線望向舞台，然後看向舞台背後的戶外景色。
作為焦點的竹桁架結構
長榮堂跨距十八公尺，加上出簷，屋頂的直徑是二十四公尺。走進長榮堂的視覺焦點，就是環繞圓心的二十四組半月形竹桁架。每組竹桁架以鋼構為接頭，以臺灣本地的孟宗竹、桂竹為骨幹。弧形的下弦在室內成為最主要的空間亮點，是結構的同時也充滿了藝術的表現力。
大藏以構造創造空間氛圍，為使結構在建築空間中有藝術表現性，為使空間中的體驗者可以感受到結構的材質，甚至感受到建築體力量的傳遞。讓使用者有信心選擇這個在地生生不息的材料，讓竹建築不要在現代建築中缺席。
從糖廍的共同記憶，到凝聚師生的校園重要空間，平實雋永的建築之路又向前邁進一步。正如同長榮大學在這片土地過去的糖廍，找到屬於今天的校園特色。大藏也讓臺灣建築界看到竹子更創新也更在地化的可能性。
Inspired by historical sugar mills
Cheng-Jung Christian University is in Guiren District, Tainan city. A few hundred years ago, sugar production was the main economic activity in the area. Therefore, the university takes the historical sugar mill as the inspiration for the new representative building on campus. A historical sugar mill was usually built with bamboo or wood. There would be circularly arranged columns and a cone roof. Taking the initial idea further on, D.Z. Architects & Associates designed a bamboo-truss-structure assembly hall. The university named it CJCU Hall.
A ceremonial space of the campus
CJCU Hall is the core space of the campus. The circular plan, with the skylight from the ventilation tower at the center, brings a solemn atmosphere. The symmetrical stage, the cross-shape bamboo wind chimes, and the copper bar floor details are there to create a direction in a circular space. The visitors' visual sight can be directed to the outdoor stage and the greenery behind it.
The bamboo truss structure: the highlight of the interior space
CJCU Hall has an 18-meter span and a 3-meter eave. The diameter of the round roof is 24 meters. There are 24 bow-string bamboo trusses, which are the most eye-catching feature for people walking in the building. Each bamboo truss is made out of steel joints and local bamboo (Moso and Makino bamboo). The lower chords, made out of bent Makino bamboo, are the most memorable feature of the interior space. They are the structural components of the building with artistic performance.
D.Z. Architects & Associates insists on creating an atmosphere of a space with tectonic methods. This way allows the structure to be not just the structure, but also an artistic segment of the architecture. People inside the building would see the material of the structure and how the building load passes. D.Z. Architects & Associates’ goal is to encourage people to choose the most sustainable material: bamboo; so that bamboo-built buildings will not be absent from contemporary architecture.
D.Z. Architects & Associates took the historical sugar mills as the inspiration and designed a public space for the campus. The road of simple and timeless architecture has taken another step forward. Chang-Jung Christian University has found its own representation in the history of the land. Meanwhile, D.Z. Architects & Associates ensured the Taiwanese architectural industry the possibility of bamboo being the most innovative and localized building material.