Sada Shiva Dham, Loenen

Design Drawings Sada Shiva Dham, Loenen

The designing process takes place between two approaches: the inspirational, intuitive approach and the application of what we call the esthetical theory. The last amounts to the research of various alternatives at the different stages of the development in order to build a repertoire of choices from which to choose in the decision making process. The following overview gives an impression of the various stages we went through.
After the mentioning of the esthetical theory in a meeting the following notes were made: AESTHETICS: " A healthy living organism generates beauty". A thesis of Enno. If the communication channels are well open, if 'the juices are well pumping ' , this is a healthy living organism. Again and again choices have to be made, only a conscience choice generates beauty, for an optimal result. Everyone needs to be involved. Every opinion enriches the whole. A deviated opinion included, brings forward something new.

	First impression sketch results in a snake-like design. This sketch shows the idea for a land temple being rather a modified landscape then a building. It shows the future ashram in the location of the open field on the edge of the forest. Roof floor plan of the first sketch design. This design shows an ideal being quite extensive.

*First floor and ground floor plan of a second sketch design to find a match of the demand and the possibilities.* Some designs appear like mandala figures. Various elements can be recognized such as the ground floor rooms, the attic sleeping spaces, the duni, fire space, at the far left and the day space at the far right. In the central space the temple hall is placed as a separate volume. Greenhouses are added as passive sun collectors on the south facing elevation. Initially was decided to realize the project with earth through self-building. Another option was to build with round wood that would be easy available in the area and the building with such material vast improved through the work of a Delft professor.


	First floor and ground floor plan of another design with (below) Southwest and Northeast elevations. Clearly visible is the vegetation roof as was the idea to have the green roof extend from its green environment. In the initial designs the building was thought to go a little in the ground to allow for an attic space, the volume being very restricted in this environmental sensitive spot. As an alternative for the vegetation roof a ceramic tile was considered.



Isometric of an alternative design. Through the manipulation of a municipal official a totally different design was undertaken that received a lot of support from the community that in it self became divided over which choice to make. That this design is more conventional must have played part but that was exactly what evoked a strong reaction from the architectural advisory committee that gave a strong support for earlier developments and cleared the way for the design as it went.

	*Isometric of the overview.* The former rounded design was elaborated but not with the full support of the client. One condition was that it had to be made clear, that the financial means available would be sufficient for the realization of the design. Therefore action was taken to find a contractor who would give sufficient guarantees to this effect. Not only was a contractor found to fulfill the right profile, but was also confident for the financial outcome.

*Roof plan and ground floor with (below) the Southwest and Southeast elevation.* The community as a whole showed much interest for the choice between the 'round' or 'square plan. Many people showed up for that meeting and nearly unanimous was decided to go on with the rounded version. At the presentation for the architects committee it was pointed out that the designing process followed the information esthetical approach meaning that certain choices were only made at the appropriate phase and that some choices, such as vegetation roof or ceramic tiles, were left open. It also implies, that the decision making process is well structured so the decisions are made in good timing. The architects of the committee seemed familiar with such an approach and allowed for an open ended design. Their support leveled further problems for obtaining the building permit.




	*Finalized and realized design: roof floor plan, ground floor, Southwest, Northwest, Northeast, Southeast elevation.* A Mexican shaman who saw the plans commented that it looks like an eagle. This design is the colored versions of the working drawings that were used to construct the building. Along with the designing process a modular system developed that regulated the building as a whole in relation to all its details. The systematic approach helped to rationalize the building process and this reflected in the building costs and time keeping.