LOTUS TEMPLE

PRIMARY ELEMENTS:

CENTRAL POINTINNER LEAVESOUTER LEAVESOUTERMOST LEAVES

All the points join to form lines of the leaves and these curved lines form the structure.

The surfaces are all inclined to 45 degree angle from each other.

In plan its form is composition of circles and circular segments .

Stable and neutral plan because of its centrally oriented planning.

The form in its plan is the collision of 2 figures i.e. a square and a rhombus

FORM:Conceptually inspired this flower symbolizes purity and holiness in the Hindu tradition is that the architect Fariborz Sahba

The temple gives the impression of a half-open lotus flower, afloat, surrounded by its leaves. Each component of the temple is repeated nine times.

Since the lotus is open at the top, a glass and steel roof at the level of the radial beams provides protection from rain and facilitates the entry of natural light into the auditorium.

INNER LEAVES HOUSING THE MAIN PRAYER HALL

OUTER LEAVES COVERING THE INNER HALL

ENTRANCE LEAVES

FORM:

•The inner leaves enclose the interior dome in a canopy made of crisscrossing ribs and shells of intricate pattern.• When viewed from inside, each layer of ribs and shells disappear as it rises, behind the next, lower layer. Some of the ribs converge radially and meet at a central hub.

The outer coating of white marble makes the building visible from a distance and highlight with sunlight, turning purple at sunset.

FORM:

LOTUS TEMPLE IN DAY

LOTUS TEMPLE AT NIGHT

•The temple is surrounded by nine large pools of water that not only enhance its beauty but also play a role in the natural cooling system of the hall.•All elements are in multiples of “9” as it is said to symbolise comprehensiveness, oneness and unity.

With respect to the main entrance of the site, the

temple entrance is OBLIQUE

APPROACH

CIRCULATION:

ENTRY

INFORMATION CENTREVIEW OF TEMPLE ON RIGHT FROM ENTRANCE

VIEW FROM MAIN NODE

CONFIGURATION OF PATH

Linear path

PATH-SPACE RELATIONSHIP

Path passes by the spaces. It is done by planting

avenue trees

ENTRANCEThe outermost petals open outwards to form entrance.

CONFIGURATION OF PATH

Radial path

PATH-SPACE RELATIONSHIPPath passes by the spaces and terminates at he central chamber

MAIN ENTRYSECONDARY ENTRY

The temple is reached by a flight of steps on the front and green mounds on both sides which adds a vertical dimension to it.

APPROACH

Frontal approach

CIRCULATION:

SENSE OF VERTICALITYCOMMON PLINTH

TERMINATING POINT-PRAYER HALL

SPACE WITHIN A SPACE A space may be contained within the volume of a larger space.

SPATIAL ORGANISATION- CENTRALISED ORGANISATION

ORGANISATION OF SPACE:

GREEN SITE AS SPACE

PRAYER HALL AS SPACE WITHIN SPACE AS IT IS AT COMMON PLINTH

•All the spaces are arranged around the central prayer hall covered by leaves.

PATTERN OF ORGANISATION

in this case the pattern is TERMINATING IN OR AROUND THE CENTRAL SPACE.

MAIN SPACE(PRAYER HALL)

SECONDARY SPACES(WATER BODIES )

A line established by two points in space, about which forms and spaces can be arranged in a symmetrical or balanced manner.

AXIS

Main building

Administrative building

ORDERING PRINCIPLES:

SYMMETRY Radial symmetry refers to the balanced arrangement of similar, radiating elements such that the composition can be divided into similar halves by passing a plane at any angle around a center point or along a central axis.

ORDERING PRINCIPLES:

The articulation of the importance or significance of a form or space by its size, shape, or placement relative to the other forms and spaces of the organization

HIERARCHY

•The hierarchy is marked by the entrace to the temple.•At the main entrance,there are long steps being an exception to an otherwise regular pattern.•There are 2 other pathways marking the entry/exit to the temple, but are less in width marking the hierachy of spaces.•All the other spaces do not have separate pathways to access, but are on platform.

ORDERING PRINCIPLES:

MAIN PRAYER HALL

PLINTH MARKING ENTRANCE

A unifying movement characterized by a patterned repetition or alternation of formal elements or motifs in the same or a modified form.

RHYTHM & REPETITON •The design is composed of 27 free-standing marble-clad "petals" arranged in clusters of three to form nine sides.•These 3 petals each with a pond, have been repeated symmetrically at reguar intervals creating a rhythmic pattern.•Rhythmic patterns provide continuity and lead us to anticipate what comes next.

ORDERING PRINCIPLES:

3 petals and a water body are rhythmically repeated 9 times.

Its external structure consists of 27 giant marble petals reaching to a height of upto 40 m.

SCALE AND PROPORTION:Scale alludes to the size of something compared to a reference standard or to the size of something else.

TOTAL SITE AREA : 105000 SQ.M.

X 2X

X

X4X

26X

4X

X

26X

40M. HIGH – MONUMENTAL SCALE

PRAYER HALL 40M. HIGH WITH SKYLIGHT IN CENTRE-TO SIGNIFY CONNECTION WITH UNIVERSE

28MTS

33.6MTS

22.5MTS

7.8MTS

SCALE AND PROPORTION:

All the elements are in proportion to each other.

PROPORTION REFERS TO THE PROPER OR HARMONIOUS RELATION OF ONE PART TO ANOTHER OR TO THE WHOLE.

•From the main node the structure looks monumental•The entry gates in the main hall are in human scale with almost 4m of height •Once you enter the main prayer hall, the sense of monumentality continues with the hall almost 40 m. High.•The hall can seat almost 1200 people at a time.

SOURCE:•http://www.bahaihouseofworship.in/architectural-blossoming•https://en.wikiarquitectura.com/index.php/Lotus_Temple_(Bah%C3%A1'%C3%AD_House_of_Worship)•http://www.architecture-student.com/architecture/lotus-temple-delhi-innovation-in-architecture/•DK CHING –FORM SPACE AND ORDER