Soka Gakkai International | USA

Soka Gakkai International | USA

Situated on a small tract of leftover property within a bustling metropolitan business, residential and retail district, the Atlanta Buddhist Center is designed to welcome practicing Buddhists and passersby alike to become part of its community. Though this worship center promotes private individualized prayer, the building design reinforces SGI’s interest in being an integral part of civic life, by being outwardly focused in its placement and close proximity to public streets and its embracing form which welcomes visitors inside. This Center serves a public role for education and outreach, but it also creates a peaceful space for the daily, private practice of Nichiren Buddhism.

A linear plaza along Village Street provides a comfortable and inviting entry, engages the community and creates a connection to Atlantic Station’s nearby green space across the street. An asymmetrical roof opens skyward towards Village Street as a gesture to welcome visitors inside, while exterior aluminum screen walls act as a veil, allowing visitors to experience the building in layers from most public to most private. The screens filter light, offer a more expansive view from inside the building and provide visual privacy between meditation space and surrounding residences.

Creating a sense of civic presence on leftover property with limited visibility surrounded by large retaining walls posed one of the design challenges. A spacious two-story, museum-quality lobby initiates a soothing sequence of experiences and environments that unwinds the fast-paced exterior surroundings into a calm, contemplative interior atmosphere as one approaches the gohonzon and meditation rooms. The lobby serves as a public pre-function area to the adjoining gallery and exhibit spaces to promote outreach and learning. At the heart of the center, a spacious daylighted gohonzon room accommodates 250 people in a unified communal space. Other features within the building include meditation and chanting areas, meeting spaces and a bookstore.

The Center features combinations of long-lasting, natural materials using wood and stone, inside and out. A calm palette contributes to the light and uplifting atmosphere. Large expanses of glass frame views of the City, act as a gallery displaying the building’s content and make a statement about where SGI has chosen to redefine its long-standing Atlanta presence.

The building highlights ways in which a spiritual facility is experienced in our modern world, and invites the full spectrum of faith and participation, whether experienced from within or while passing by. It creates a memorable civic presence within the city of Atlanta, and serves as an embassy for SGI in the Southeastern United States.