Aotearoa Sikh Architecture By Pardeep Singh
What is Sikhism?
• Sikhism is the youngest and fifth largest religion faith in the world.
• founded by Guru Nanak some 500 years ago
•Sikhism is a practical religion
•Sikh religion is strictly monotheistic, believing in one supreme God
•The Word Sikh means “student "or “Disciple” of a Guru
• “Guru” means a teacher, master, trainer or an instructor.
•Sikhs have there own holy book called “Adi Granth” or “Guru Granth Sahib”, which is kept in the temple
•Sikhs treat this Holy book as a their living Guru
•Guru Granth Sahib is usually found in the centre of main prayer hall of the Gurudwara
What is a Gurudwara?
•Gurudwara literally means “ Gateway to the Guru” or “Doorway to Guru’s House”
•The place where the devotees usually congregate is called a Gurudwara.
•The essential features of a Gurudwara is the installation of Guru Granth Sahib (Holy Scripture)
Gurudwaras daily services include the concept of 'Sangat' (congregation)
'Shabad Kirtan' (singing of hymns with musical instruments)
'Langar' (free kitchen) these are the main everyday functions of a Gurudwara.
The most identifiable external architectural feature of a Gurudwara is the tall flag pole called 'Nishan Sahib'
• Apart from Sikh religious services, Gurudwaras are also hubs for social, political, ethical and educational services
How can Sikh Architecture maintain its sense of self (maintain its sense of "Gurudwara"), while at the same time fitting within the New Zealand Context? What are negotiable and non-negotiable design features?
Research Question?
The Golden Temple
The essential features are:
•Prayer Hall
•Kitchen
•Dining
•Water
•Accommodation
•Flagpole
•Lotus symbolism
The complex itself is divided into a series of boundary, journey, threshold, connection, transition and buffer from space to space.
The series of spaces formulate zones such as public to private, profane to sacred, and informal to formal.
Negotiable features
• Dome
• Traditional shape
• Materiality
Non-Negotiable features
• Four entrance/access to site and prayer place
• Open to community
• Nishan Sahib – Flag pole (symbolize Sikh faith)
• Sikh protocols
• Installation of Guru Granth Sahib (Holy Scripture)
• Prayer Hall
• Communal Kitchen and Dining Hall
• Water
Common features based on traditional temples
• Planning layout – focal point to scripture
• Domes
• Decoration and ornament
• Community facility
Selected Site
Design
Threshold
Buffer
Zones
Connection
Transition
Journey
Boundary
Over all planning relationship between spaces was based on a series of keywords such as threshold, buffer, boundary, connection, transition and journey
