194 Built examples
The building serves as the primary teaching
and meditation hall for the existing Zen
Buddhist compound, located in a high
mountain river valley in northern New
Mexico.
The thick rammed earth walls act as thermal
composites, keeping unwanted summer
heat out during the day and re-radiating it
at night. Cantilevered roof edges block sum-
mer sun. Cooling works via cross-ventilation
by opening the sliding panels to the east
and the entry doors to the west. In winter
heat is generated by geothermal water.Center of Gravity Foundation Hall
at Jemez Springs, New Mexico,
USA
Architects: H. Predock, J. Frane, Santa Monica, CA,
USA
Completion: 2003
Area: 279 m^2