| As a symbol of spirituality and culture, the temple plays a central role in the Hindu tradition. Clearly every temple's form, function, and ritual practices have evolved in accordance to the needs and desires of the local community. This thesis sets out to explore the relationship between ritual architecture and the role of its users as active participants in the design process. For this project, the role of agency (as architect) shifts to one that involves social engagement with the community. Rather than focussing on translating non-physical factors into building form, the emphasis is on the framework through which this translation takes place. How could a community's participation in the design process impact how the built environment is perceived? In other words, how will the community of Barapind in Punjab, India interact with and utilize the temple as a spiritual and cultural building after having contributed to its design?... |
