Temple of Light

Location: Kootenay Bay, B.C.

Architect: Patkau Architects

Completion: 2017

Photo credit: Dan Seguin

Size
325 square metres

Structural Engineer
Equilibrium Consulting Inc.

Contractor/Construction Manager
Alfred Horie Construction (Construction Manager)
Spearhead Inc. (Timber Design Assist, Fabrication + Installation)

Mass Timber Supplier
Spearhead Inc.

Structural systems
Mass timber hybrid

Project materials
Glue-laminated timber
Lumber
Plywood

Species
Douglas-fir
Spruce-pine-fir

High-tech timber meets spiritual transcendence in this Kootenay Lake ashram

Rebuilt after a devastating fire, the Temple of Light at Yasodhara Ashram transforms sacred geometry into sculptural timber form—where precision wood engineering and spiritual intent meet in a luminous expression of renewal.

Prefabricated timber petals use ruled-surface geometry to achieve compound curves from straight wood members.
Digital modeling and CNC fabrication enabled rapid assembly with minimal material waste.
Curved timber ribs modulate natural light throughout the day, creating dynamic shadow play.

Parametric timber geometry as spiritual architecture

Nestled on the shore of Kootenay Lake in southeastern British Columbia, the Temple of Light at Yasodhara Ashram embodies renewal, community and the expressive potential of wood. The circular, light-filled temple reinterprets sacred geometry through advanced timber design, where prefabricated wood petals unfurl around a central oculus, creating a meditative space of light, shadow and spiritual connection. Composed of eight curving “petals” that rise and twist toward the sky, the building’s form emerges from ruled-surface geometry—a design approach where complex curvature is generated using only straight structural members. This technique allows standard timber components, such as glulam beams and dimensional lumber, to create fluid, sculptural forms without the need for curved wood. One side of the temple houses the reception and procession entry, while a gently curving wall conceals the supporting and storage areas beyond.

Photo credit: Nick Diamond Photography

Prefabrication and craft: innovation through material efficiency

Each petal is prefabricated off-site using advanced CNC fabrication techniques, enabling precision assembly and minimal on-site joinery. Each was completed and shipped with insulation, air and vapor barrier. The prefabricated modules were then craned into place around a glulam “spine”, forming a self-supporting shell. A white polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) membrane unifies the form, illustrating how timber construction can achieve a refined, contemporary aesthetic without losing its natural warmth. The design team approached the temple as a synthesis of digital precision and traditional craft. Parametric modeling translated the geometry of light into buildable timber modules, each optimized for structural performance and ease of fabrication. The ruled-surface logic meant the temple could be realized using conventional lumber products, reducing waste and cost while retaining a sculptural quality. The precision of the prefabricated system allowed the project to be assembled quickly and with minimal material waste.

Photo credit: Nick Diamond Photography

A biophilic design: wood structure in tune with nature

The result is a structure that feels both lightweight and grounded with a geometric design that works in tandem with the cycles of the sun. Natural light animates the temple’s interior throughout the day, filtering through clerestory windows and the central oculus. As the sun moves, the curved timber ribs catch light differently, creating an ever-changing pattern of illumination and shadow that reinforces the building’s connection to nature and spiritual purpose. The form’s inherent symmetry and organic material palette evoke balance and interconnectedness—core tenets of the ashram’s teachings.

As a spiritual space and a feat of timber engineering, the Temple of Light stands as a testament to wood’s versatility, sustainability and emotional resonance. Rebuilt after the 2014 fire that destroyed the original temple, the new structure honours the ashram’s legacy while advancing contemporary wood construction. The reuse of the prior foundation minimized new material requirements, lowered costs and reduced environmental disruption. Its innovative use of engineered timber demonstrates how digital design and precision fabrication can yield poetic, sustainable architecture deeply rooted in place.