Ggantija World Heritage Park

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The Interpretation Centre houses ticket booths, an auditorium, a children's centre, and a flexible exhibition space. As one progresses through the Interpretation Centre, the physical experience of light, shadow, and air constantly change. The synergy between the location of the building and the natural shading of the trees reduces the need for mechanical cooling systems. However, critical spaces such as the auditorium and exhibiting space are climate controlled. Views out to the natural landscape and trees are framed through designed mo-ments. After the final progression through the Interpretation Centre, one emerges into a series of sinuous paths leading to the temple.

The fabric proposed is recyclable, reflecting the proposal’s commitment to sustainable design. This fabric provides full enclosure while also allowing diffusion of natural light, creating the experience of interior space while sustaining a connection to the natural surroundings.

The building is created by a series of steel frames that support the roof-ing materials, shading devices, and the walkways. The frames rest on reinforced concrete pads that transfer the load to the rock. Moreover, to protect the rock, a layer of expanded polystyrene is placed as a soft layer between the concrete pad and the rock face. The walls and roof of the audiovisual centre are in an insulated sandwich panel that spans between the main and secondary steel frames. The other spaces are roofed and wrapped in a high performance polymer fabric. Sections of the walkway are shaded by extruded fiberglass sec-tions, which are used to give shade, reduce maintenance and provide support for growth of creepers that will eventually wrap the building.