Chinmaya Mission Austin

Established as a permanent home for the Chinmaya Mission, a non-profit Hindu spiritual organization, this new 8-acre campus is characterized by an architectural language that reinterprets traditional Indian typologies to reflect the organization’s modern context while calling to mind the universal principles of a global community. The campus master plan combines the vastu shastra principles of Hindu design—emphasizing geometric patterns, symmetry, and directional alignments—with a contemporary sensibility. The execution of the first phase of the master plan involved accommodating both the spiritual and practical needs of the mission, while working within the budgetary demands of a non- profit organization. White stucco walls and pitched roofs recall traditional Indian buildings, while large windows provide natural light in every occupied space. Serving as the educational hub, the Bala Vihar contains 12 classrooms plus areas for congregation and social events. Clean, angular lines define the temple, where a perimeter of rough-cut, locally-quarried limestone obscures the view beyond, encouraging meditation and introspection.