Grand Opening of Thai Buddhist Temple in Raynham

buddha

The Wat Nawamintararachutis NMR Meditation Center photo by ARC

Designed by ARC, Built by Consigli

Raynham, MA -The Wat Nawamintararachutis NMR Meditation Center, a Thai Buddhist temple designed by ARC/Architectural Resources Cambridge and constructed by Consigli Construction Co., Inc. celebrated  grand opening ceremonies recently in Raynham. The Temple officially opened for a world Buddhist conference  with Buddhist monks arriving from all over the world.

The newly completed $60 million, 110,000sf temple is now the largest Thai Buddhist temple outside of Thailand, according to the design team at ARC. The centerpiece and most prominent feature of the complex is the three-story temple, topped by  a 185-foot gold Chedi, or steeple, which pays tribute to Buddha.

Consigli’s team  self-performed the installation of miles of cherry wood, marble, brass and gold in the interiors. Much of the finishes and artifacts were made in Thailand, including seven gold-clad bronze Buddhas. The temple is made up of two phases. The first phase of construction included the complete exterior shell with the Chedi.

The complex consists of a temple, residence halls for temple monks and a multi-purpose hall that was built around a central courtyard and will be used for major Buddhist celebrations during the year. Development  began in June 2011 and was completed this June. Phase II of the project was an interior fit out which started in the fall of 2013. This phase included offices and conference rooms located in the temple basement, a museum fit out for King Bhumibol Adulyadej Rama IX on the first floor and the meditation room and commercial kitchen on the second floor.

The exterior materials are architectural concrete and limestone with decorative roof shingles, that were designed to withstand the New England weather. Special attention has been given to the roof details to incorporate elements of Thai culture.

Phase II was constructed with assistance from Dr. Nattaphat Saisena of Thailand with ongoing design input from Eang Tan, a board member of Wat Nawamin and designated liaison for design concerns. Clustering of the building’s many multi-tiered roof gables reduces the massiveness of the structure and is characteristic of both traditional temples in Thailand and rural New England architecture. The design expresses a simple elegance throughout so that the whole complex can be understood as a sum of the elements.

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“This is a once in many lifetime opportunity to have been a part of this landmark facility. This project has been especially rewarding for me both professionally and personally,” said Been Wang, AIA, who is ARC’s principal-in-charge of the project. “It was a unique experience to work in collaboration with both eastern and western cultures as our joint vision for this remarkable building has come to life.” In addition to Mr. Wang, Matthew Lewis AIA Project Manager led the project along with a design team at ARC. Associated design architects led by Wiwatchai Prangpituk of Thailand also assisted with the project. The complex is dedicated to the life of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Rama IX, the king of Thailand, who was born at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge in December of 1927 while his parents were students at Harvard Medical School and Simmons College. His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great Rama IX is the only monarch to have been born in the United States. His Majesty is well recognized as the heart and soul of the Thai nation.