Bahá'í Temple in Santiago Completed, Receives Architectural Awards
A new Bahá'í House of Worship in Santiago, Chile, has been unveiled. The structure has garnered international attention and five architectural awards, including the RAIC's Innovation in Architecture Award.
Santiago, Chile – A new Bahá'í House of Worship, designed as a space for prayer and meditation for the global Baha'i community, has been unveiled in Santiago. Situated on a hillside offering panoramic views of the city and the foothills of the Andes, the structure combines glass and stone elements.
The project presented significant engineering challenges due to its location in a seismic zone. EXP's structural engineers incorporated seismic base isolation to mitigate the effects of extreme earthquakes. The firm's role evolved from initial seismic and steel design to providing comprehensive design-build services, focusing on ensuring structural compliance.
Since its completion, the temple has attracted considerable international interest, with over 40,000 visitors from around the world having already experienced the site before the start of the new year. The building has also been recognized with five architectural awards, including the 2017 Innovation in Architecture Award from the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada.
The temple's unique design and an available 360-degree virtual tour have solidified its position as a significant landmark and destination in South America.