Tourist next to the Buddhas of Bamiyan in Afghanistan photo by Edmund Melzl in 1958
Tourist next to the Buddhas of Bamiyan in Afghanistan photo by Edmund Melzl in 1958

The project is shaped by the fundamental act of digging into the earth and carving it, this act creates two spaces that shape the site of the Cultural Centre, that is, a bund formed by the earth scooped out, along three sides of the site, and a courtyard around which the functions of the institution are organized.

Section A-A: Courtyard, looking towards exhibition galleries
Section A-A: Courtyard, looking towards exhibition galleries
Context Pan
Context Pan
Section B-B: Courtyard, looking towards library and administration blocks
Section B-B: Courtyard, looking towards library and administration blocks
Plan at Entry Level
Plan at Entry Level
Section C-C: Through library and exhibition galleries
Section C-C: Through library and exhibition galleries
Plan at Courtyard Level
Plan at Courtyard Level
East Elevation: Building profiles and site gradiant
East Elevation: Building profiles and site gradiant
Roof Level Plan
Roof Level Plan

The building is sited on the upper level of the site and the lower level is offered as a garden. The bund dissolves the sharp boundary line between the site and the town, and simultaneously creates a protective armature around the site. Gaps in the bund offer multiple entries to the cultural centre and space within. The main vehicular entrance is a large ramp, starting from the south-west corner of the site, and leading down to the courtyard which is sunk 5 mts. below grade.