26th December 1996 - 1st January 1997

The Old Temple
The old Swaminarayan temple in Vaughan Rd has been the centre of worship since 1976. The increasing popularity and steady growth in devotees meant a larger place was needed. Plans to re-build on the existing site were prepared and it quickly became apparent that there were severe limitations both in economic terms and the facilities possible within a small plot size.

A building committee was set up to look for a suitable new site.

Sites in Harrow, Edgware and Kingsbury were earmarked due to its close proximity of the devotees. Indeed two locations were reasonably advanced but were lost to other purchasers.

Then the site known as Mark House on Westfield Lane, Kenton came to the market.

The Site of the Current New Temple
Initial tentative enquiries looked promising, planning would of course be a gargantuan task, During early discussions the Council were made aware of the extreme difficulties at Vaugan Rd, indeed the officers were invited during 'Katha' to see first at hand the problems faced by the community. There were also able to appreciate the peaceful nature if the Swaminarayan Worship.

Mark House has had a chequered industrial past, from the metals works to an ice cream factory and it would appear now to have found a rightful home.

The existing building appeared to be in a reasonable condition. Refurbishment and conversion of the building was considered. Whilst the structure was sound, architecturally to create an aesthetically pleasing temple would be prohibitive on cost grounds alone. The shell and the ground floor would also require thermal upgrading. Re-building seemed to provide the only viable solution.

The Current New Temple
Draper Neal Associates were appointed as Architects who worked closely with the building committee and the Harrow planners in preparing plans for the new temple. The scheme was revised a number of times to meet the Council's stringent car parking and planning regulations for a public building. Great efforts were made in explaining the need, it use and the proposed activities to the local residents and the Harrow Planners and Councilors. A basement car park was introduced to alleviate the problems associated with the car parking. Through great resolve, self-belief and regular prayers at the old temple planning permission was duly granted.

The architects brief was to create a temple, which would blend the use of natural stonework typical of temple architecture in India and the brickwork much used. The stone sikhars entrance domes from Rajastan and the curved stone window surrounds and corner quoins from Lancashire appeared to give the right balance

Following planning approval the scheme was developed for construction by the Architect, Peter Neal and the structural Engineer, Khimji Lalji Pindoria. Total sums of architectural and 20 structural drawings were proposed backed by structural calculations for the sikhar supports, basement concrete walls, floors and the steelwork frame. For the project of this size full Bill of Quantities prepared were prepared by Clarke Associates together with the Tender Contract Documents.

Tenders received for the full scheme were in the region of £1.6 million. By nature Temples have a unique style of finishes and with the available expertise within the community it was felt advantageous to split the contract in two stages.

Address:
Westfield Lane
Kenton Harrow
Middlesex
London
HA3 9EA
UK

Website: www.sksst.org
Email: info@sksst.org
Phone: 00442089099899
Fax: 00442089099897