Embodied Light

The Bahá'í Temple of South America

Comprising drawings, models, renderings, and full-colour panoramic photographs, Embodied Light showcases the technological innovation and architectural excellence of the Bahá'í Temple of South America. The publication is intended to share the 14-year journey culminating in the opening of the last of the eight continental temples to be completed as part of a remarkable portfolio of sacred architecture commissioned by the Bahá'í community.

The Temple, which opened in fall 2016, is set within the foothills of the Andes, overlooking the city of Santiago, Chile. Using light as both spiritual and design inspiration, the building combines advanced engineering solutions, cutting-edge material innovation, and computerized fabrication methods to create a space that is at once monumental and intimate. Expressing a faith of inclusion, the Temple is more than just a story of complex design, innovation, sustainability, and construction—it is the embodiment of a community’s aspirations.

Project Facts

Client

BIRKHÄUSER

Status

Published 2017

Partner

Siamak Hariri