This model was the final product made during my time at SCAD in Architecture Fundamentals I. Over the ten weeks in this class, I learned about the basic forms of architecture and the combinations of these forms.
The final scale model represents my idea for an American Buddhist temple and monastery. In the center there is a courtyard where a Bhodi Tree would be planted. This represents the Buddha himself. Around this structure would be four temples, representing the Dharma, the Buddha’s teachings. The four corners of the structure are the towers for the monastery representing the Sangha, or community. Together these three aspects create the Three Jewels of Buddhism. This structure represents a holistic introduction to the religion for American practitioners.
The structure itself is made from interlocking forms. All of the joinery is held by tension alone, the only glue used is completely non-structural. This technique is inspired by ancient Japanese Temples.