Rong Cultural Centre

To revitalise the island economy by promoting tourism, the project envisages guest accommodations, a community centre, and bicycle paths; this cultural centre is the completed first phase. The centre contains a café, public pavilion, and tourist information centre, and is the arrival point for all visitors; it also serves as an activity centre for local residents. The architecture employs earth-filled sand-bags, a system developed by the late Nader Khalili that is adapted to conditions here by the use of metal rods to enhance structural stability. The plan features two domed areas at both ends, and a vaulted space between them that, on the exterior, features stepped seating areas from which the port or performances can be viewed.Source: Aga Khan Trust for Culture