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Bahá’í Temple of South America, Hariri Pontarini Architects | International Design Awards Winners

Bahá’í Temple of South America

CompanyHariri Pontarini Architects

Lead DesignersSiamak Hariri

Design TeamSiamak Hariri, Justin Huang Ford, Michael Boxer, Doron Meinhard, George Simionopoulos, Tiago Masrour, Tahirih Viveros, Jin-Yi McMillen, Jaegap Chung

Project LocationSantiago, Chile

ClientThe National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Chile

Prize(s)Silver in Architecture Categories / Institutional

Entry Description

Set within the Andean foothills, just beyond the metropolis of Santiago, Chile, the Bahá’í Temple of South America is a domed, luminous structure that echoes the rolling topography of the mountains. Its nine monumental glass veils frame an open and accessible worship space where up to 600 visitors can be accommodated. Looking up to the central oculus at the apex of the dome, visitors will experience a mesmerizing transfer of light from the exterior of cast glass to an interior of translucent Portuguese marble. At sunset, the light captured within the dome shifts from white to silver to purple.