The task was to design a cultural center in the Bamiyan region of Afghanistan. The project is a UN funded endeavor that is intended to protect and exhibit what remains of the Buddhas that were attacked by Taliban in 2001.

Called the Chawmi Garden, our proposal for a new cultural center is located on the higher part of the site, with the main view towards the Buddha cliffs. The design started by determining a boundary of 92x92m. The boundary, a square marked by a wall of 1.2m height, should be thought of as a simple enclosure only; tall enough to be constantly visible, but short enough so as not to obstruct views. The boundary contains a garden of 6200m2, with trees and plant life collected from both the immediate area and the larger region, and will be a place for quiet contemplation or small social gatherings. The building is placed in the southeastern corner of the boundary, and is single storey with a triangular form. Functions are placed within the triangle so as to best make use of the 2200m2 area available, maximizing natural light for the programs that would require this. Where the plan is too deep for natural light to reach the interior, skylights are installed in the ceiling. Structurally, the building is comprised of a vaulted concrete roof of 2.3m, supported by concrete columns of 3m height. Non-structural walls are made from terrazzo with a cementitious binder, of 2.3m height, placed between columns. This gives a 0.7m glazed area between the ceiling and the internal walls, that is constant throughout the building and allows light to penetrate further into the plan. The outer facade continues the 1.2m garden wall, with concrete structural elements and glass on top.