This proposal for the UNESCO Bamiyan Cultural centre in Afghanistan consists of two main elements: a series of heavy, long rammed earth walls which acts as an extension or articulation of the ground and a seemingly floating roof of small scale vaults above it. The vaults are organized on two directions which respond to the site boundaries and the view of the Buddha cliff. Where these two directions intersect, barrel vaults change into small domes.
The vaults are constructed out of locally fabricated pressed earth or ceramic tiles. The series of earthen walls and vaults frame strong spaces with a view and direction towards the Buddha cliff. The heavy materiality and carve-outs in the walls – poche space containing restrooms and storage space – has a quality of carve-out and subtraction, in reference to the Buddha cliff. However, through disconnecting the roof from the earth walls, the space retains a certain transparency, openness, lightness and maximal views towards the Bamiyan valley.
Author: Gilles Retsin