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Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. Bamiyan Cultural Centre by LUCA POIAN FORMSMarch 11th, 2015 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: LUCA POIAN FORMS Overlooking the majestic Buddha cliffs our proposal for the Bamiyan cultural centre is the creation of a timeless architecture perched over the Bamiyan valley. The building created provides a portal to the surrounding landscape, connecting the visitors to the lower valley and beyond.  Image Courtesy © LUCA POIAN FORMS
 Image Courtesy © LUCA POIAN FORMS The overriding concept has been to provide a unique experience to the approaching visitor. As one arrives at the building from the upper area, the geometric folded form of the vaulted-brick roof channels you inside, gently leading into a unique transcendent environment. Light from the perforated brick walls, and a glazed façade–which makes use of the structure’s orientation–floods the interior space with diffused soft light. The building features an external enveloping walkway, where the breath taking views can be enjoyed and the surrounding environment absorbed.  Image Courtesy © LUCA POIAN FORMS BUILDING LAYOUT The building is north-south oriented and is conceived as a device to channel the views towards the Buddha cliff. It is set across the natural contour separating the higher and lower areas of the chosen plot. The very form of the building defines the main entrance, with visitors being drawn inside as they approach from the upper area, which is served by the existing road. From this point on a ramp descends four metres down to a sunken patio, where the actual entrance door is located.  Image Courtesy © LUCA POIAN FORMS All circulation is organized around the central space and the two levels are connected via ramps that allow easy access to everyone. The ten metre difference in height in the plot has been used in order to achieve the maximum internal height and volumetric space. This has allowed the use of two levels. The classrooms and workshops are located on the upper floor at the entrance level whilst the exhibition spaces, the tea house, the performance hall and the research centre are located at the lower levels in order to ensure a connection with the outdoor areas.  Image Courtesy © LUCA POIAN FORMS Nevertheless, the building layout has been designed to be flexible, with the central core and circulation-ramps being the fixed elements of the space. This allows the location of the various uses to be located according to necessity providing a fluid element of development as the needs of the activities of the centre are catered for without affecting the functionality of the building.  Image Courtesy © LUCA POIAN FORMS The performance hall is located underneath the entrance patio, enclosed within the base walls of the vaulted roof. A panoramic-scenic promenade along the perimeter is protected by the roof and provides the perfect platform to allow the visitor to experience the landscape from a most advantageous point. The walkway is a most important aspect of the centre because it provides the physical connection to the valley below, allowing an extra sensory characteristic to surround the visitor, a transition point bringing the outside in. Car parking is located on the upper area of the plot near the entrance ramp and accessible from the existing road, where thirty spaces have been provided.  Image Courtesy © LUCA POIAN FORMS CONSTRUCTION The design has ensured that the form is constructed with locally sourced materials. The main building material being sourced directly from the land itself, brick. The perforated bricked roof-vault is oriented towards the south, where it filters the light. Furthermore, because of its inherent large thermal mass it absorbs and stores heat energy, releasing the cool accumulated during the night environment in the summer and vice versa in winter, where it releases warmth.  Image Courtesy © LUCA POIAN FORMS The external shed walls support the scenic promenade and are designed to protect the internal space from direct sunlight when the sun is low on the east and west, whilst always allowing views to the Buddha cliff. CONCLUSION The resulting architecture is one which unrolls from the land and unfurls to allow the assimilation of a unique historical environment. A building from the land for the land, a timeless space for the community providing an environment to present and share ideas whilst deeply rooted in its’ surroundings.  Image Courtesy © LUCA POIAN FORMS  Image Courtesy © LUCA POIAN FORMS  Image Courtesy © LUCA POIAN FORMS  Image Courtesy © LUCA POIAN FORMS
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Category: Cultural Center |
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