The Bamiyan Cultural Centre reflects the expectations of an area rich in culture and charm offering a great challenge for all of us.
The approach of our proposal relates and connects to these aspects. We have thought of designing a building that brings to the future of the area with references to its tradition. Natural signs as the river Foladi, the caves of the Buddha Cliff, inspired our proposal.
The project is designed on a grid created by the main directions on the site, connected to a pattern of regular forms that have as reference the Bamiyan Qala, the typical construction of the valley.
A configuration of volumes creates a courtyard which acts as a pivot connection for the functions that surround it. Every function has a different height, so that the section of the building reflects the skyline of the mountain.
The pitched roof and the irregular openings on the facade strengthen this relationship with the mountain setting.
The materials that are used in the project are mainly locally sourced. The structure is designed with mud bricks reinforced with concrete. The paving is proposed in beaten earth outside and wood in the indoor.
Particular attention is given to energy efficiency. The building is self-sufficient thanks to photovoltaics and solar panels that produce energy and warm water. This solution is applied with panels that cover the slopes of the roof facing southeast. The same choice is also employed for outdoor lighting with photovoltaic poles. The internal microclimate is guaranteed by the air flow that is created due to the high ceilings and a courtyard.
Winter heating is produced by coils positioned inside the plaster (see detail), and the water that circulates internally is heated by solar panels on the roof. Thanks to the sloping roof was possible to place a system of recovery of rainwater.
The building is settled on the highest level of the assigned area. It is all on ground floor, with routes from neighboring units also disabled. Its position allows to design a promenade between the two levels, that are connected by a ramp. This option is chosen to favor the view on the Buddha Cliff.
The entire garden reminds the geometrical and spacial concept of the Babur Garden in Kabul, and breaks the natural organic shaping of the surrounding. The choice of using traditional coating materials such as clay and pebbles reconnect the garden to its environment. The new landscape is almost empty of high trees to communicate better with the natural surrounding.
Status: Competition Entry
