The Sufi Order International (SOI) community desires to build an interspiritual temple called the 'Universel' at the Abode of the Message located in the Berkshire Mountains near New Lebanon, New York. The Abode is the home of the central offices, retreat grounds, as well as a residential spiritual community of the SOI, and is located on 400 acres with historic Shaker buildings, a conference center, and a secluded campground with huts and cabins located in a forest of secondary-growth ash, beech, evergreens, maples, and oaks. The temple will serve the practical function of a sacred site for interdenominational worship services and individual meditation, and the symbolic function of the heart of the Abode and SOI community.

We have decided to host a design competition with the specific intention of drawing design proposals from both within and outside the SOI community. We are therefore soliciting design proposals in the form of conceptual sketches for the temple from architects, artists, landscape designers, craftspeople and/or interdisciplinary teams of all of the above. Those interested should submit material due no later than February 5th, 2007.   Digital submissions in PDF or Microsoft Word format are sufficient, and all other submissions should include digital copies on a CD. Please place all submission documents on the same CD. The mailing address for submissions is:

Attention: Universel Selection Committee
5 Abode Road
New Lebanon, New York, 12125

Submissions must include at least two conceptual sketches from different vantage points in 24" by 36" format, a site plan, and statement of approach to the design. Sketches should include current foundation (see photos and site plan) and indicate basic size and height measurements. After the initial selection process, and in consultation with the SOI, the winning designer will also submit finalized building plans including working drawings and building specifications. The Universel will be built directly from drawings submitted by the winning designer.

Designers should note that the construction budget will be approximately $22,000 and the design award will be $5,000. (The award will be disbursed to the winner upon receipt of all materials listed above.) Designs are expected to be buildable within this construction budget -- buildability is a primary criteria for selection. Drawings/specs submitted will be reviewed for buildability by a selection committee of architects, builders, and community residents. Although the local stone is available and preferred, other materials that may be used need to be accommodated within this budget.

The selection team is at your service for questions about the competition. Questions may be posed by e-mail or by phone. Questions and answers will be posted and updated on this site. For phone, contact: Mr. Sohrob Nabatian at 857-544-3136 or e-mail UniverselSC@yahoogroups.com

Photographs of site and foundation and further background information are available.

Submission deadline is: February 5, 2007.

The SOI intends to build the winning design in Spring, 2007. If any modification or development of design elements is necessary for building, the designer will be a fully-participating partner in the process; however, ultimate discretion lies with the SOI. The SOI reserves exclusive rights to build the winning design. The designer reserves all other intellectual property rights (i.e. publication) on the design.

Physical Description:

The original building burned in 2004 leaving a foundation that is roughly square in layout with an undulating four corners representing the knees of four meditating Buddhas (see sketch of original structure.) The foundation encloses an area about fifteen feet square and six feet high. The walls of the foundation are a combination of shale stonework and concrete on a concrete footer. The quartz-lined walls enclose space currently filled with rubble, and are capped with a concrete deck and marble paving. An access door to the lower level is located on the north side through an arch that needs some reinforcement. Fine quartz stone originally laid by a master craftsman line the current foundation and walls on the lower level which is still intact. There are steps set into south side leading up to the previous second level and there is no above ground structure remaining. The new temple should utilize the remaining foundation. There is no requirement for heating, cooling or electrical accommodations. See post-fire photos and foundation measurements from previous design.

Description of Available Building Material:

The rocks that create the foundation of the land include shale, source rock interbedded with sandstone. The sandstone is mostly composed of quartz. The shale is intercalculated on a more gross level with carbonates specifically limestone. The rocks are in the phyllite grade of metamorphic process resulting in massive beautiful white quartz veins throughout the rock of metasediments.

Conceptual Design Ideas of the Sufi Order International

These design concepts are not meant to limit the scope of creativity of the designer but to inform him or her of the thinking and preferences of the Sufi Order International:

• The structure should give a sense of openness to the sky and horizon creating a space from which one can contemplate heaven and earth. Structures included in designs must not be sealed on all sides.
• The building should be constructed of durable building materials suitable for an open structure using unhewn stone available at the mountain site, fit harmoniously into the environment and be inspirational -- evoking the sacred. Other natural sympathetic materials such as glass and wood can be incorporated into the structure.
• The design should include an approach or a walkway inviting the pilgrim in a symbolic manner to journey from the outer world to the inner.
• Designs should in some way express harmony and balance of the four elements, which are of major philosophical importance to the SOI.

Questions and answers will be posted and updated as they are posed.

More background into the community, use, and vision surrounding this temple is offered here.

Other architectural and philosophical guidelines that are of interest to the SOI, but which are not essential preferences, are discussed here.

Maps showing the building site and region are available here.

Questions are welcome and may be directed to Mr. Sohrob Nabatian at 857-544-3136, or by email to UniverselSC@yahoogroups.com