Located at Pui Shing Secondary School in Tin Shui Wai, this newly designed Maria Courtyard reimagines the traditional Catholic grotto in a minimalist architectural language. The design emphasizes purity, depth, and light — replacing ornate floral decorations with sculptural simplicity.
Layered arches and concealed LED lighting create a sense of calm and sacred focus around the Virgin Mary statue. By combining clean geometry and modern illumination, the courtyard becomes a tranquil space for reflection, prayer, and contemplation — a serene balance between faith and contemporary design.
Project details
Construction Duration
~3 months
Location
TIN SHUI WAI
Signature materials
Feature Arch Structure: White plastered curved wall with layered recess profiles
Lighting Feature: Concealed linear LED strips with warm white tone (3000K)
Statue Pedestal: Solid plaster pedestal with smooth matte finish
Ground Surface: Fine white gravel stone base
Backdrop Surface: Matte white coating for soft shadow diffusion
Area
30 sqft.
Year
2023
CONCEPT & DESIGN INTENT
The design for the new Maria Courtyard reinterprets the traditional “Grotto of Mary” found in most Catholic schools. Instead of following the conventional decorative approach with floral arrangements and ornamental frames, this project adopts a minimalist spatial language — emphasizing form, light, and reverence.
The concept is centered around purity and serenity. The design strips away all excess visual elements, leaving only a clean white spatial envelope that allows the statue of the Virgin Mary to emerge as the spiritual and visual focal point.
SPATIAL STRATEGY
The structure features a tiered arched alcove with layered recesses that create a three-dimensional depth. The symmetry and curvature of the arches guide the viewer’s gaze naturally toward the statue, enhancing the sense of devotion and calm.
GALLERY
MATERIALITY & DETAILING
The grotto is constructed in smooth white plastered surfaces with integrated indirect LED lighting concealed behind the layered arches.
During the day, it relies on soft natural daylight to cast gentle shadows across the reliefs; at night, the lighting transforms the space into a luminous shrine, accentuating the statue’s presence. The base is surrounded by fine white gravel, reinforcing the purity and tranquility of the overall composition.
LIGHTING & ATMOSPHERE
The project’s lighting scheme was a critical component of the design. It creates a transition from natural light (daytime purity) to spiritual illumination (nighttime contemplation). The continuous light bands define the architectural outline, creating a sense of sacred geometry and contemporary devotion.
PROJECT OUTCOME
The new Maria Courtyard has become a contemplative corner within the school — serene, minimal, and spiritually focused. It demonstrates how religious symbolism can coexist harmoniously with modern architectural expression, highlighting EnochDeco’s commitment to thoughtful spatial storytelling even in compact, faith-based environments.
PUI SHING SECONDARY SCHOOL
MARIA COURTYARD
TIN SHUI WAI
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