A temple on a pilgrimage route. The terrain offers a shelter-like entrance, the opening in the ring reassures the invitation. The trees provide a cathedral like experience and the white ring looking up emphasises the feeling of connection to the Absolute. The contrast between ‘the built’ and ‘the grown’ produces a juxtaposition that suggest harmony and reflection. Both the characteristics and the placement of the ring boost the feeling of finding spiritual comfort on a demanding journey. Void temple is a work of a sober, intelligent and receptive creative force. Epic!
See other editor's picksRozana Montiel: The project was part of a collaboration to adapt the most important route of pilgrimage in Jalisco, Mexico. The macro project’s goal was to create infrastructure and landmarks along the 117 km long route between Ameca and Talpa de Allende that takes place every year for the Virgen del Rosario. Void Temple is one of the 8 landmarks built for the pilgrims. The circle was used to represent the space as a temple or a haven containing the macro-cosmos within the micro-cosmos. The white concrete wall, a 40 meter diameter circle, is a piece placed amidst pine tree woods that blends in with the particular topography of the site, suspended three meters high, it follows the terrain’s slopes and elevations and it is buried at different points to respect horizontality. A narrow fissure frames the access and forces visitors to enter individually. As a temple, the white wall delimitates a space for contemplation: it contains the visitor intimately relating with nature. It is a privileged place to understand the totality of the natural world on human scale.
Project name: Void Temple
Design: Dellekamp Arquitectos + Rozana Montiel | Estudio de Arquitectura
Collaborators: Alin V. Wallach | Aldo Espinobarros | Pedro Sánchez | Ignacio Méndez | Jachen Schleich
Location: Cocinas, Jalisco, Mexico
Photography: Iwan Baan
Year: 2011
