LIMES
Lalibela interpretation Museum and Ethiopian Sanctuary
A research and interpretation Thesis project
(2021-2022) Masters Thesis
Architecture without Architects, an exhibition at the MOMA gallery, curated by Bernard Rudofsky introduces visitors and readers to communal architecture produced not by societies but by the spontaneous and continuing activity of a whole people with a common heritage, acting within a community of experience. An exhibition which approaches architecture, not with a historian’s mind but with a naturalist’s sense of wonder.
This thesis explores an architecture which garners many questions of a church thought to be built by angels and carved into stone.
The Amhara region in Ethiopia is home to Lalibela, a complex of 11 Rock-Hewn churches carved into stone. Marvellous and phenomenal in scale and architectural achievement, Lalibela garners pilgrims, travellers and locals wanting to immerse themselves in the wonder of this site which visualizes architecture as sculpture.
Ethiopia is a country which is rich in culture and heritage. Parallel to this is the strength in their beliefs as it is a country largely founded on religion with a large percentage of the population practicing Christianity and the Orthodox faith while Islam and the Muslim faith also characterize the country.
The beauty of this site is that it is layered in mystery and wonder. Layers that slowly and surely release and uncover themselves until a greater comprehension is found.
The churches are primarily monolithic as they use the process of carving from rock from ground level down. A gradual process of detachment was used as opposed to the removal of large blocks. There is an innate relationship the structures have to the material. As a museum and first point of contact for the complex, LIMES serves to aid in the overall experiential quality and understanding of the expression of the site.Born from the process of carving stone, this architectural project positions itself on a subterranean level, hidden from plain sight.
