Wat Ananda Metyarama Thai Buddhist Temple

Czarl Architects - Singapore - 2014

Key words: Bodhi Tree, Courtyard, Enlightenment, Meditation, Monks, Prayer Halls, Stupa, Transparency

TEMPLE EXTERIOR - Photography: © MingFu Weng

The Wat Ananda Metyarama Thai Buddhist Temple extension in Singapore represents a sensitive yet ambitious reimagining of a historic religious site. As the oldest Thai Buddhist temple in the country and one with royal patronage, the expansion commemorates its 90th anniversary while addressing contemporary spatial and communal needs. The new block doubles the capacity of the existing monks’ quarters and introduces prayer halls, meditation centres, classrooms, a museum, and a communal events space. Rather than replicating traditional Thai temple architecture, the design reflects it conceptually, drawing inspiration from the Bodhi Tree under which the Buddha attained Enlightenment. This symbolism is expressed in the building’s V-shaped plan, which frames a large courtyard for gatherings, and in the architectural strategy of shelter, protection, and nurturance.

The project employs modern volumetric language, with staggered cantilevered boxes supported by angled columns, combining solidity and transparency. Green terraces, sky gardens, and long planters transform the block into a “tree-like” building, visually breaking down its mass while fostering environmental integration. The façade, patterned with triangular windows inspired by filtered light through Bodhi leaves, creates a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, particularly in the prayer halls. The extension balances heritage with modern urban sensibilities, reinforcing both Buddhist philosophy and community engagement.