Page 67 - CorianDesign_ISSUE2_2809

SPOTLIGHT

SPIRITUAL HIGH

India’s religious architecture receives a
well-deserved update thanks to the versatility
of Corian Solid Surface.
®

ome to followers of four of the world’s major religions, India boasts
an impressive collection of sacred architecture, from towering Hindu
Htemples to Mughal-style mosques. While most of these are centuries-
old structures made with traditional building techniques, there are recent
works of religious architecture in the country that look to modern construction
materials, most notably Corian® solid surface, to create innovative designs.

One such example may be seen in the town of Tuto Mazara in the northern
state of Punjab. Here, the local Sikh community looked to renovate the
town’s gurdwara, the gathering place where Sikhs traditionally come together
for congregational worship. Originally completed in 2011, the congregation
of the Kutia Tapstan gurdwara in Tuto Mazara decided to add an extension
to the existing building to better accommodate locals participating in the
religious ceremonies and community events inside the gurdwara.

Eager to experiment with new techniques, project architect PJ Singh, who
oversaw the renovation work, decided to use Corian® Solid Surface as a
key component in the remodelling of the temple. The plans called for the
innovative solid surface to be used as interior wall cladding – sections of
Corian® Solid Surface also feature on the exterior of the gurdwara – together
with carved natural stone and mother-of-pearl inlay, techniques that enjoy a
long tradition in India.

“The use of Corian® Solid Surface has made the building more peaceful
yet attractive,” says Singh. “I loved designing this gurdwara. First, I got an
opportunity to design something so serene that people will come here to
meditate; second, with this design we could bring our age-old traditions into
a new reality.”
Given that the interior of the temple would see a high volume of traffic each
day, it was important to find a building material that would be easy to clean
and maintain in good condition over time. What’s more, Sikh practitioners

OPPOSITE: View of the ceiling at the Sikh temple in Tuto Mazara in the northern Indian
state of Punjab; photo Corian® Design.

Corian® Design / ISSUE TWO 65