Chinmaya Mission Austin in Texas by Miró Rivera Architects

Article source: Miró Rivera Architects

Established as a home for the Central Texas division of Chinmaya Mission, an international non-profit Hindu spiritual organization, this new 8-acre campus is characterized by an architectural language that reinterprets traditional Indian typologies in order to reflect the organization’s modern context. Presented with the unique opportunity of designing a Hindu mission in Central Texas, the architects applied their knowledge of local building materials to create a visual language that is rich in texture, sculptural in quality, and innovative in design.

Image Courtesy © Paul Finkel (Piston Design)

• Architects: Miró Rivera Architects
• Project: Chinmaya Mission Austin, Texas, USA
• Location: 12825 Burnet Road Austin, TX 78727
• Photography: Paul Finkel (Piston Design)
• Software used: Autocad
• Design Partners: (Juan Miró, Miguel Rivera) FAIA LEED AP
• Project Architect/Manager: Ken Jones, AIA LEED AP
• Team Members: Spencer Cook, Bud Franck, Matthew Helveston, Michael Hsu, Shane Pavonetti, Edward Richardson
• Civil Engineer: Aupperle Company
• Structural Engineer: Architectural Engineers Collaborative (AEC)
• MEP Engineer: Bay & Associates
• Lighting: ArcLight Design
• Landscape: Studio DWG
• Site Area: 8.1 acres (351,354 sf)
• Conditioned Area: 8,515 sf @ Bala Vihar; 4,185 sf @ Temple
• Unconditioned Area: 1,945 sf @ Bala Vihar
• Total Area: 10,460 sf @ Bala Vihar; 4,185 sf @ Temple
• # of Floors: 1
• Total Height: 24′-6″ @ Bala Vihar; 43′-4″ @ Temple

Image Courtesy © Paul Finkel (Piston Design)

The main challenge of the project was two-fold: to create spaces that accommodated both the spiritual and practical needs of the rapidly-growing mission, and to apply established Hindu practices in ways that felt new and unexpected. The campus master plan combines the traditional vastu shastra principles of Hindu design—emphasizing geometric patterns, symmetry, and directional alignments—with a contemporary sensibility. The completed first phase consists of a temple and Bala Vihar (educational building) arranged around a central lawn, with space reserved for future buildings.

Image Courtesy © Paul Finkel (Piston Design)

Image Courtesy © Paul Finkel (Piston Design)

Working within the restrictive budget of a non-profit organization, design was not sacrificed; rather, it inspired the design team to find a vocabulary that was simple yet refined. In elevation, white stucco walls and pitched roofs recall traditional Indian typologies; large windows provide abundant natural light in every occupied space; and deep overhangs offer refuge from the hot Texas sun. By simply alternating the tones of the standing seam metal roof panels, a striking design motif was conjured up from a commonplace material. The most spectacular example of this creative adaptability is the airy steeple atop the temple’s peak. To reduce costly field-welding, the delicate structure was shop-fabricated using galvanized fencing material and then lifted into place.

Image Courtesy © Paul Finkel (Piston Design)

Image Courtesy © Paul Finkel (Piston Design)

Serving as the educational hub of the mission center, the Bala Vihar consists of 12 classrooms plus a central gallery and large covered patio for congregation and social events. Flexibility was a major priority, as the facility must comfortably accommodate small weekly classes as well as special events. In response, three of the classrooms utilize operable partitions to create larger spaces as needed. A central gallery plays multiple roles as circulation, display space, and assembly hall.

Image Courtesy © Paul Finkel (Piston Design)

Image Courtesy © Paul Finkel (Piston Design)

At the temple, the prevalence of symmetry and geometry are reminders of traditional Hindu religious architecture. Beginning in the central meditation hall and moving out toward the perimeter of locally-source limestone blocks, a series of concentric circles, squares, and rectangles—including an illuminated pattern in the meditation hall’s dramatically-sloped ceiling—references traditional mandala-inspired architecture. Above the shrine, the most sacred space in the temple, light from concealed skylights is reflected by a golden wall, creating an aura around three deities arrayed with bright robes and flowers.

Image Courtesy © Paul Finkel (Piston Design)

Image Courtesy © Paul Finkel (Piston Design)

In its development and execution, the design of Chinmaya Mission Austin strikes a delicate balance between the need to respect both the traditional building methods of an ancient religion and the limited resources of a non-profit organization; and the desire to employ a contemporary aesthetic that reflects the forward-thinking approach of an international faith.

Image Courtesy © Paul Finkel (Piston Design)

Tags: Austin, USA

Categories: Autocad, Temple

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