BLOCK 9

Block 9 was just a small section at this years Glastonbury Festival but also one of the most architecturally impressive areas I’ve ever seen constructed for entertainment.

There were many impressive structures in this area hosting late night clubs for the hardcore but the pieces you couldn't miss were the make shift buildings posing as true traffic disasters and half derelict one of which doubled as a performance stage. These were created with no less than the impressive finesse you would see at Universal Studios.

This area was like stepping into a real city of doom and with the festival atmosphere helping to drive the energy of the space it was not for the faint hearted.

(Block 9)

SUNRISE SUSTAINABILITY

Rather than focusing on Sunrise Celebration's layout or any one structure I think the most poignant features of this years festival were the structures and workshops set I place to utilise and educate on self-sustainability.

The most obvious features were the massive solar panels set up all over the arena space. These coupled with the excellent weather managed to power the vast majority of an 8,000 capacity festival only hearing one generator all weekend. The concept was applied to every structure requiring electricity including it was nice to see the lemonade stands.

When it comes to the evening the fields are lit with paper lanterns emitting as little light pollution as possible and using no electricity; it did it's bit for festival mood lighting and was great so long as you weren't trying to keep an eye on any children.

The workshops set in place to educate in self-sustainability offered a lot of useful information across the issues. For the more technical minded there was V3 Alti-Tech workshops on D.I.Y energy one of which demonstrating how you can turn your bike into a generator, and perhaps a workshop we will all want in the future on how to install and repair your solar panels.

Other area offering their eco knowledge was the Permaculture gardens. This is essentially an "edible garden" where they layout incorporates both floral and edible plants in an effort to create harmony and promote a healthier garden as well as a healthier you. The overall ethos of the festival is an attitude every society should be following but just how long it will take to implement this change in the way we live set seems insurmountable by today’s standards.

And yes to drill it on home Sunrise really does recycle everything and I mean everything! They aim to be completely self-sustaining by 2012 and are clearly pioneers in today’s environmental battle.

LONDON'S MANDIR

The "Shri Swaminarayan Mandir" also known as "Neasden Temple" is a Hindu place of worship in the north west of London. To find it was the first traditional Hindu Temple of its kind in Europe impressed me, it was a shame we had to wait until 1995 to receive this spectacular example of such a peaceful culture.

As in other Mandir and here amongst the intricate stone carvings you will find a number of Murti (images depicting divine spirits). There are 24 of these to represent the different Saints and Gods of the Hindu faith including Swaminarayan himself (above), believed to be an incarnation of God and to whom the temple gives it dedication and name.

Aside from its religious symbology and political implications the element of this building that really blew me away was its construction! Firstly it's all stone, right down to the supporting beams, all piecing together like some gigantic 3D jigsaw puzzle. Comprised mostly of two kinds of stone nearly 5000 tons of Bulgarian limestone and Italian Marble fit together to form this gem of London. These were calculated choices for the Temple to be able to withstand the British climate; limestone would provide the protection needed against the elements while the marble aesthetically formed the interior.

I was shocked to find that the start to finish of this project took just over a year and a half, from the first stone cut in Feb 1993 to the grand opening in Aug 1995. Understandably delivering such quantities of stone from country to country would require some time but when you discover it took the skill of over 1,500 men in India to carve this masterpiece you can't help but be impressed with with the sheer scale and skill involved throughout this project. It's hard not to see Shri Swaminarayan Mandir as a testament to ancient architecture and engineering genius as well as appreciating its values of community spirit and religious tranquility.