Shikara & Shui

Cambodia; Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, India

The Sleuk Rith Institute brings sacred and spiritual vocabulary into the contemporary era. The building’s massings are inspired by the Cambodian landscape it resides in and reflect the architectural mantras and practices of ancient Buddhist architecture. The Sleuk Rith Institute is a sacred place, or Tirtha, of its time. Designed by Zaha Hadid in 2014, the sophisticated research center elaborates the words from the Buddhist faith to represent a modern interpretation of our evolving cultures. The namesake for the Sleuk Rith Institute is derived from the dried leaves that are named Sleuk Rith. These dried leaves are native to the geographical region of Cambodia and had been used for centuries as a tool for documentation. The importance of documentation of knowledge is emphasized as the Institute’s goal, therefore is how the institute received its namesake. The way we understand history is not only through documentation but also through the site. The site was once the location of a High School that had unfortunately been bombed during Cambodia’s devastating wartime period. In reflection of the site’s sacred historical context, the program of the building is made to support five main functions: a research center, Grad School, Museum, Archives, and Library. The building stands within the landscape as a landmark and draws an individual toward its grandeur. It is surrounded by five large-bodied reflection/retention pools; five to complement the five building masses. Between the ponds is the only visible linear path into the building. Otherwise, there are no main axial pathways that bring the visitor to the front door. Instead, individuals are led to the building’s entrance by ‘desire lines’ that weave within the landscape. The choreography of movement is the only gesture made for an individual to arrive at the site. While meandering through these arrival paths, the attention of the individual is focused on the whole environment around them. One’s eyes are left scanning the forestscape beyond.

The Shikara, or the peaks of Mount Meru, are emulated in much sacred Buddhist architecture that inspired Hadid. The temples at Khajuharo are architecture that emulates these mountain peaks. From the exterior perspective, the shapely characteristics of Meru’s Shikara are seen by the individual. Within the interior of the temple, the experience is a cavernous one. The mountain’s peak governs a cave-like chamber below, the Garba Griha - the innermost womb chamber of the temple that is said to be the embryo of life. The Sleuk Rith Institute takes inspiration from these temples and Buddhist architecture alike and brings the characteristics of this large scale into the building’s wooden structure.1

Shui, or water, is captured by the Institute’s large retention ponds through a capturing system. Besides their technological function as a greywater system, the retention ponds act as an

Medium: Vellum, led pencil, Tombow ABT Watercolor Pen instrument for jyotirlinga - the manifestation of visible light. “Light is not the Ambiance of seeing but is the icon of Tirtha” itself. Sunlighting embodies the invisible threads that tie the highest heavens to the ground of Earth. Within the Institute, natural lighting is framed to exhibit the phenomenological qualities of light and sky. The architecture “contains what heaven and the highest heavens cannot contain,” which is channeled through earth and geometry. The structural form of the Institute complements the environment further; Hadid’s parametric architectural design emulates natural forms by using geometry. The beauty of this site is how the architecture made by humans yields to nature and instead gives into blending entanglement. The melting of nature into the architecture was made intentional, however, through time, the architecture has completely surrendered to the forestscape melting into its seams. The institute inverts the direction of melting wood and directs verticality upwards. If ever constructed, this site would be a precedent for contemporary Buddhist architecture and more.

Upon an oblique aerial view, the Ganges River is seen framed by geometric architectural stone-stepping. When seen in elevation, many traits of the city of Varanasi’s facade along the water can be nuanced. The framed geometric stone stepping that perimeters the coastline steps down into the water. The scale of the steps emphasizes the Tirtha of the river Ganges, and one’s sacred descent. There are many typologies of how one may descend into the water, and what sacred rituals or daily routines one might perform. Examples of these uses include large-scale public events, like hosting masses, events, or ceremonies. Daily routines would include chores like washing clothes. Many temples sprinkle the skyline of Varanasi like stars in the night sky, giving its nickname the city of temples.