RECREATION, CULTURE, SPORTS

Bamiyan Cultural Centre – National Museum of Afghanistan, International Competition

The inspiration for the architectural approach for the new Bamiyan Cultural Centre National Museum of Afghanistan comes from the dramatic views and the sense of infinity of the surrounding UNESCO World Heritage landscape and monuments. The Bamiyan Buddha Cliff, the Foladi Valley, the Qoul-i-Akram, Qoul-i-Ghamay and the Kakrak Valley caves with the niche of standing Buddha.
This enchanting vistas, along with the local people, culture and history shape the Bamiyan’s unique character. The proposed new centre’s design aims to celebrate these qualities, adapting and integrating into the landscape.
The main building volume is developed in between long and robust structural walls placed in such a way as to create a sequence of solid and ‘translucent’ layers. The visitor, approaching the site from the south, experiences various glimpses of the Buddha Cliff and the Foladi Valley.
This movement through the ‘great walls’ simulates a hide-and-seek game with Bamiyan’s mountains, building up the visitors anticipation to view the whole vista of the Bamiyan Buddha Cliff and integrating fragmented views of the world Heritage landscape in to the museum exhibitions.
Exposed concrete with a wood grain texture formed by vertical and horizontal plank formwork, masonry and bricks, using the local techniques of coursing with perforation, create a sense of translucency, allowing light and fresh air in the building and enhancing the visitors visual experience.
Traditional materials and local building techniques are used, promoting the local economy and skills and together with the environmental strategy, aiming energy and resource efficiency and a low environmental impact.