Building of Faith

A Zoroastrian Shrine and Education Center

Learning Level: 1st Year, Studio 1 Square Footage: 5,000 sq. ft. Project Length: 1 month Sketching, Hand Drafting, Hand Rendering

For a Zoroastrian Shrine and pavilion the U.N. stakeholders were looking for a space that facilitates religious activity and educational opportunities. Working with the Zoroastrian faith also provided a valuable opportunity to practice listening, empathy, and research skills, all of which were necessary to uncover the specific needs and desires of the client. In a relatively small footprint zones were made for interaction with nature and elements of fire and water, vital portions of religious ceremony. Spaces for education, administrative work, and religious rites were also produced, providing an opportunity to work in a variety of finish and furniture specifications. Ramps were introduced in the space to explore spiritual paths, allowing users to ascend and emerge into the preferred spaces for mindfulness: the courtyard or the rear patio.

Early process work explores three potential layouts, as well as the priest’s office, an outdoor meditation patio, and the ritual worship space. Ideation

Entry

Not to Scale The floorplan shows how ramps were used to create movement through the space. A 10 foot projection, afforded by the program, was used to create a side entry. The entry passes a water feature and opens to a focal point, a fire feature, both of which are sacred symbols in the Zoroastrian faith. Brick and scored concrete are the primary materials shown, for their fire resistance and the religion’s preference for simple, unadorned materials. Floor Plan Fire Feature

Commercial