Bahá’í Temple of South America / Hariri Pontarini Architects

The new Bahá’í Temple of South America was designed by Hariri Pontarini Architects for the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Chile.

Architects: Siamak Hariri –Hariri Pontarini Architects
Location: Santiago, Chile
Images: Courtesy of Hariri Pontarini Architects

The Bahá’í Temple of South America uses light for its spiritual and design inspiration. Set within the foothills of the Andes bordering the metropolis of Santiago, Chile, it represents the last of eight continental Temples commissioned by the Bahá’í Community. Its nine monumental glass veils frame an open and accessible worship space where up to 600 visitors can be accommodated. Looking up to the central oculus at the apex of the dome, visitors will experience a mesmerizing transfer of light from the exterior of cast glass to an interior of translucent Portuguese marble. At sunset, the light captured within the dome shifts from white to silver to ochre and purple.