Lighting in Design Q4 2023

Reflection & light The Santiago Bahá’í House of Worship in Chile uses architecture to highlight the importance of light in our lives. S et against the backdrop of the famous Andes Mountain range in the South American city of Santiago, Chile, the nine-sided marble

Hariri Pontarini Architects in Toronto, Canada. Speaking to archdaily.com, he says, “The Bahá’í community follows the concept of unity, that all the world’s religions are truly one and have a common aspect. Because of this, the plan was deceptively simple: A sacred circular structure. The vision began with the concept of light – to design a building that would become alive with light as if it were radiating from within.” The lighting technology used within the temple is simple, explains the architect. “We opted for subtle lighting styles. This is a space of worship, so we have used toned-down lighting systems that add to the openness of the main atrium space.” The temple seats just 600 people, with delicate

house of worship commissioned by the Bahá’í community welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. These visitors can be split into two groups: Religious followers who are looking for a space to practice whatever faith they follow, and those who appreciate architecture and clever use of natural and artificial light. The temple measures 30m high and 30m in diameter, with opaque and clear glass covering the domed building. “We took the Bahá’í’s concept and transformed it into this magnificent house of worship,” explains architect Siamak Hariri from

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LiD Q4 - 2023