Kuala Lumpur has been dramatically transformed during the past fifty
years by a large number of urban developments and small individual
projects. Despite the rapid growth and development, it is important that
the social, cultural and religious grounds are well supported for the
urban communities.
The temple is designed based on the
community's basic needs for spirituality in an urban condition, in
offering possibilities for public inhabitation to establish a spiritual
retreat.
The conventional temple layout with 3 smaller temples surrounding a main
temple hall is used. This design approach takes the in-between spaces
among these four temple halls and seeks to create an introverted
contemplative environment within the temple ground. The massing of the
outer temple halls is ‘linked’, raised and sunken to create an open
courtyard ground that enhances a wider spiritual communion among the
devotees.
The courtyards envelope a round rotunda main temple
hall that is inspired by the Buddhist belief that everybody is a Buddha.
It posits an importance to the centre, or one self signifying that
everyone is always his or her own judge, and therefore is responsible
for his or her own fate.
This plain exterior of the rotunda is
celebrated inside, where lights are carved to wash into the temple
ground. To create this lightwell, the conventional sections of Malaysian
archetypical temple design consisting of 3 main sections were
re-studied and re-interpreted. As a result, 3 light wells were formed
for each aisle, bringing in lights in a poetic manner, and thus greatly
enhancing the spirituality of the space.
The rotunda is slightly
raised from the 3 smaller temples outside, creating sheltered space
beneath as a place for meditation in the ‘courtyard’. It is also the
cohesive common ground that binds all the temple goers.
The overall concept seeks to create an intimacy in the search for
spirituality through immersion in nature and light. Through this, and
the use of responsible vernacular materials, a relevant, poetic, and
meditative landscape for spiritual cultivation within the urban context
is thus being created.
The Reserve at Kemensah Heights - live with nature yet close to the city. Set against the verdant backdrop of the 100 million years old Klang Gates Quartz Ridge, this 21-acre G and G development comprises of 37 luxury bungalows in a picturesque location. It boasts a choice of 8 designer series of residences ranging from 7,000 sf to 12,000 sf with lot sizes ranging from 12,000 sf to 19,000 sf.
Posts
