Bahá'í Temple site features

The temple stands within 26.5 acres and seats 1,300 people. From outside, 27 white marble-clad petals form a half-open lotus. The lowest nine spread toward the entrances, the next nine turn inward, and the tallest ring gathers over the prayer hall.

Nine pools surround the structure. Curved walks and bridges cross between them, so the building appears repeatedly across water before the entrance is reached.

Inside, the hall contains no altar, pulpit, image or statue. Diffused daylight enters through the gaps near the petal tips and the glass-and-steel roof above.

The 27 petals

1986. Three rings of concrete shells form nine entrances, the outer hall and the central prayer space.

The nine pools

1986. Water reflects the lotus and cools air entering through ducts under the steps.

The prayer hall

1986. A 1,300-seat room contains no pulpit, altar, icon or statue.

Information Centre

2003. Exhibitions explain the Bahá’í Faith outside the visually restrained worship hall.

Education Centre

2017. The later building extends the precinct’s community and learning role.