SAMOA HOUSE OF WORSHIP

APIA, WESTERN SAMOA

Completed 1984

The site is located on the island of Upolu, 1800 feet above and overlooking Apia, the capital city of Western Samoan Islands, usually referred to as Oceania, 4000 kilometres SSW of the Hawaiian Islands . The Baha'i House of Worship was to be designed as a symbol of unity and peace, open to all people, for prayer and meditation. The building was to be of long lasting quality construction, resistant to mildew and dirt, with minimal maintenance. It was to be nine sided and highly visible on the mountainside. The Main Hall seats 500 and a mezzanine rings the perimeter providing additional seating for 200, including the choir. A perimeter vestibule between the entrances and the sunken Main Hall can be used for additional seating up to 1000. The Samoan's tropical landscape and the interesting native structures (called Fales) with their open plan, geometric form and high steep and curved roofs were main sources of inspiration in the design. The white mosaic tiled dome rests atop nine pairs of buttresses clad in flamed granite of a soft red tone, creating the required visibility against the tropical green of the mountain. Openness of the building has taken advantage of the beautiful surroundings and natural ventilation. Traditionally the dome soffits in similar temples are plastered over the concrete or other structures and painted over. Delamination of plastering, build up of fungus on painted surfaces, its maintenance and painting upkeep caused great problems in the tropical environment.