the aim of bamiyan cultural centre is to create a vital centre for the cultural community of bamiyan allowing individuals to share ideas. the centr unifies, represents and studies afghan culture, but it is also a space to exchange ideas, congregate and establish a vibrant community for the future.the building is a metaphor of this idea. it is characterized by different spaces united by the façade.that closes but at the same time opens the project to the area. the centre is developed around the central courtyard. it is the heart of the project with the exhibition space and the performance hall. around the central block there are all the other activities. a shelter closes the project. the cultural centre is a one-story building. it is located in the highest part of the area. the cultural centre’s functions are to create an epicentre for the community of bamiyan, to represent the heritage of afghanistan to preserve history and to develop new ideas. the centre will provide the space to exhibit tangible and intangible cultural works. moreover it will conduct archeological research and will accommodate performances, lectures and social events. the building includes spaces for exhibition, education, research and performance. all areas are accessible to disabled persons.
the central bock
it is the heart of the project, composed by the main spaces of the cultural centre.
the exhibition space provides facilities for a wide range of artifacts and ethnographic displays, showcasing the history of afghanistan in a tangible format. the exhibition area includes a designated space for permanent and temporary collections, including display of traditional and contemporary art such as photography, drawing, painting, sculpture, crafts, video as well as intangible cultural events. the exhibition area offers flexible spaces of different scales. it is a big open space characterized by skylight of different highs to give different types of illumination depending on what have to be exhibit. the dynamic panels can be moved depending on the requirement of the exhibition.
the exhibition galleries are adaptable with flexibility for future space to accommodate tangible and intangible cultural heritage. there is not a strict division between permanent and temporary area. the space can be divided according to the different needs from time to time.
the exhibition space has a connection to the courtyard creating a unique relationship between the interior exhibition space, the outdoor green area, and integrating views of the bamiyan valley. the outdoor area provides areas for displays, sculptures and performances and acts as an extension of the exhibition space. in fact a circular staircase characterizes the courtyard. it gives access to the roof garden, an extension of the exhibition and panoramic area.
the performance hall accommodates 200 seats for lectures, public events, musical concerts, cinema and performances.
the two main areas have a direct relationship with the courtyard thanks to the two long glass wall connecting visually and physically the two spaces with the outdoor.
the slab
it is the area around the central block. there are the relational activities of the cultural centre. it is the place of exchange, congregate and establish a vibrant community for the future. there are the reception, the workshop studio, the research centre, the library, the classrooms, the administration area and the conference room. the reception area is located near the main entrance. a vestibule is used for security screening of public visitors. the exhibition space is adjacent to the reception area public restrooms are located near the main entrance.
the tea house and the retail store for visitors are located between the lobby and the exhibition zone. the first has indoor seats and 40 outdoor seats in a shaded area during the summer season. the tea house allows easy access to the public restroom and main entrance.
the storage is accessed from the exhibition space and adjacent to the research centre.
the research zone is characterized by an open space which accommodates ten laboratory workers. the library is near the research room and containes one private office, 3 designated quiet rooms for private working group sessions or reading. each room can accommodate a maximum of four people.
the four classrooms are able to seat 25 people. the use of flexible furniture creates a variety of seating arrangements.
the zone for administration includes eight offices, seating a maximum of three people in each space, one commone kitchen and private restrooms.
the large conference room is designed for 30 people. it is characterized by movable partitions for flexible room layout. in particular there is a system of movable panel that can divide the area in two rooms of variable dimension according to the needs.
photovoltaic shelter
it is the sign that closes the project and at the same time opens it to the surrounding area.
on the roof there are 700 sqm of photovoltaic panels that give energy to the cultural centre.the photovoltaic shelter shades the building and protects against the cold winter. the different angulations of the walls that hold up the shelter create a vibrant variation of the shadows during the day. the shelter creates different frames to watch the surrounding area. it promotes an everyday different relationship with the place. the bamiyan cultural centre is an interpretation of the local courtyard. which is one of the most important feature of the built environment in afghanistan,. afghans, love their gardens, flowers, and outdoor relaxation. the orientation of rooms and courtyards is designed to maximize light and warmth in all seasons. gardens and courtyards extend the built lived environment, obscuring the distinction between indoor and outdoor, and extending the space of sociability beyond the built structures. the wall, used to separate, is deconstructed and becomes a shelter that encourages entering. it is projected toward the square in front of the building.
the materials used for the project require a production process with a low environmental impact and low energy requirements. they are available in and near bamiyan: concrete, masonry and wood. the building protects the ecology of bamiyan and increases its ecological value. the project produces energy thanks to the photovoltaic shelter. besides there is a rainwater tank to reuse the water.
Status: Competition Entry
