We received our first planning permit approval in July ‘22 for a two story building north-west of the Great Stupa. Working drawing were begun, by Penno Design and Drafting, in preparation to apply for a building permit.
During preparation of these, Penno discovered a compliance error. Our proposed building did not comply with strict staircase regulations for a building of that size. A redesign to allow for a longer staircase, for disabled access, was needed. Penno suggested we could change to two buildings of one-story, which would qualify as the same use. It was a radical suggestion at that late stage but Penno was confident such an amendment would be approved and could be nicer.
Recently we had been given extra space on which to build. The Great Stupa director, Ian Green offered the nuns the use of the flat pad adjacent to our proposed building site. Retreat camping, for Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s retreats at the Great Stupa is now planned to occupy space near Atisha Centre.
I briefly sketched out two alternate designs for both floor plans. After discussion, we nuns agreed two one-story buildings looked good and would suit the new adjacent site. Penno then prepared preliminary working drawings to apply for an amendment to our planning permit. Those plans were submitted to Council and finally the amendment was approved in March. The changes to the design and site should save on earth-works, tree clearance and construction. Full working drawings and engineering are being prepared ready to apply for a building permit.
Tenzin Tsapel
Building Project Manager
