Ventarron Temple Roof
In 2007, a temple housing the oldest murals in the Americas (2000BC) was discovered in the town of Ventarron, Peru. The temple's unique iconography and clay block construction proved evidence of a previously undocumented civilization; a seminal precursor to complex society in Northern Peru.
Working in partnership with Architects Without Borders-Seattle, Stephanie and a team of local architects and engineers are designing a bamboo roof structure to protect the temple, developing a master plan for the town, and designing a museum to house found objects and educate tourists. The roof structure will prevent climatic degradation of the site and serve as a catalyst for growth of a community-based tourism industry. Its design incorporates a rainwater catchment system, and solar panels will be used for site lighting, general operational power, and to power a water pump. Developing plans for the town relies heavily upon local knowledge and community contribution, thereby empowering the community members as agents of change. All building projects are to be built of local materials and by the community members.
For more information on the site'a archeology, see the November 2007 issue of National Geographic. SEE FULL IMAGE GALLERY OF PROJECT
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