Our Approach Designing a Temple for the Future

The design of the Dream Temple was a blend of ancient wisdom and modern innovation. We focused on creating a space that would remain cool even under Hawai’i’s warmest conditions while withstanding rain and humidity. Key design features included insulated mass walls, shaded north-facing openings, and unique "cooling towers" to ensure thermal comfort. We embarked on a bold and environmentally innovative approach to the construction process, incorporating a diverse range of materials and techniques.

The Foundation: Using repurposed automobile tires compacted with gravel, we laid a strong foundation. These were surrounded by properly draining rocks and supported by a comprehensive foundation drain system.

The Walls: We constructed the walls with a continuous hyper adobe bag system, reinforced with can-formed concrete columns at each opening. To insulate the space, we crafted 12”x12” aircrete bricks onsite, while a stunning bottle brick wall created a unique light-filled altar space.

The Roof: Our roof structure featured 12'x12' rebar square domes, a technique inspired by Middle Eastern earth builders. This approach enabled us to connect the building’s spaces more efficiently than traditional circular designs. The roof was insulated with a local, eco-friendly material—a blend of cinder and cement, creating a Hawai’ian version of pumicecrete.

Metal Openings: To ensure durability and proper ventilation, we fabricated site-specific, welded metal arched doors and windows, complemented by custom vent caps for optimal airflow.

A Hands-On Workshop Experience

Rainbow Bridge opened its doors to ECOHAB’s crew and workshop participants for a month of collaboration and learning. The 4-week workshop offered a comprehensive educational experience, with multiple classes each week, allowing participants to engage directly with the building process. With individuals traveling from across the globe—internationally, nationally, and locally—the project became a unique convergence of skills and passion.

The workshop not only brought the Dream Temple closer to fruition but also marked a significant step forward for ECOHAB in refining our construction techniques and expanding our educational offerings. The hands-on experience of building with innovative, sustainable methods was a profound learning opportunity for everyone involved.

We are deeply grateful to all those who joined us, supported us, and contributed their time, energy, and expertise to make this dream a reality. Without you, this project would not have been possible.

Thank you to the crew who stayed a few weeks longer and to those who returned the following June and August to finish detailing the interior and exterior of the building. Thank you to everyone involved for helping us bring this dream to life for the Rainbow Bridge community and for all those who feel called to this transformative temple worldwide.