Kaohsiung Buddhist Temple is a large project designed by architect Chen, Ren-He in 1954. Chen studied in Japan, and is one of the few local architects representing the first-generation post-war modernist movement. His architectural style is characterized by unique regional features. In contrast to traditional temple structures, Chen demonstrated new ways of designing religious buildings through the adoption of modernist techniques. Chen evokes the silhouettes of Indian pagodas through a utilization of clean vertical and horizontal lines. These elements are combined with a bilateral symmetrical design composed of bell and drum towers to form the main visual axis that greets visitors at the entrance. Overhanging floors and vaulted ceilings form an interior reminiscent of the sacred space in Buddhist caves in India. Elegant and delicate curved lines and the structural beauty of a winding staircase leading to the drum and bell towers further add to the temple’s unique aura.
苓雅／高雄佛教堂
高雄佛教堂為陳仁和建築師於1954年起建的第一件大型作品，陳仁和建築師乃戰後第一代現代主義建築運動中少數留學日本的本土籍建築師，建築風格極具地域性色彩，一心向佛的他有不少宗教建築作品，而高雄佛教堂便是他的成名之作。
不同以往的傳統寺廟建築，陳仁和建築師試著透過現代主義的手法呈現宗教建築新的可能性，因1945年自日本早稻田大學建築科學成歸國，設計手法受到伊東忠太的亞洲建築史學研究啟發影響，以印度佛塔的意象透過簡潔俐落的垂直、水平線條勾勒出輪廓，搭配左右對稱的鐘鼓樓形成了入口立面的主要視覺，室內的設計也更是別具巧思，狹長形的室內空間映入眼簾的是金碧輝煌的巨佛像，出挑的樓板與弧形的天花結構包圍其中，形塑出如同印度佛窟般的神聖空間，通往鐘鼓樓的旋轉樓梯優雅細膩的曲線與結構之美，更是為室內錦上添花，增加了能細細品味的風采。
文／黃則維、柳青薰
圖／高雄市政府文化局