Project Overview
The project was initiated by Sharoona who had undertaken a number of spiritual pilgrimages to India. A seed was sown and she decided to create a similar Spiritual Centre in Durban North. Brian Johnson Architect and Associates were commissioned and prepared a very innovative design that was approved by the Client. GIARC design prepared the Council submission and approval drawings. Barland Studio was then appointed by the client to prepare detail construction drawings to meet a budget and the current form of the building envelope was developed through an active collaboration with the Structural Engineers and roofing consultants. The Interior design was undertaken and completed by Falconer Interior Design. The structural frame is a truncated cone with a top compression ring springing off the ring beam and reinforced concrete roof slab to the centre. A large section of clearstory glazing in the southern face is utilised to spotlight the stage in the auditorium. The cone is not symmetrical so imbalanced load distribution about the compression ring needed to be accounted for.
