Dhamma Talaka Peace Pagoda

Work has begun to repair and redecorate the Dhamma Talaka Peace Pagoda Vihara in Ladywood, ahead of its 25th anniversary.

The Dhamma Talaka Peace Pagoda was the first of its kind in the Western hemisphere. Designed in a traditional Burmese style, it opened in 1998, and in 2002, the Sangharama Monastery was added to the same site. The Peace Pagoda is actually a replica of Shwedagon Pagoda in Yagon in Myanmar, and the pagoda’s name means ‘Reservoir of the teaching’ referring to its position next to Edgbaston Reservoir.

Part of peace pagoda’s charm is that it was hand-built using traditional methods, but using modern materials. As conservation architect, our role is to lead on the repair and restoration work; this includes repairs to the existing decoration which is failing and currently letting water into the dome. As such, the existing gold paint layer of the spire has been removed, and cleaned back to the hand-built concrete structure. This enables us to carry out essential repairs to cracks and holes which have developed in the concrete of the dome, preventing future water ingress. Concurrently, the project is also upgrading and renewing the tiled floor of the entrance.

The project is due to finish this summer and the Pagoda will soon be brought back to its former glory, with its gold-painted stepped spire gleaning once more.

Take a look at some of the recent progress photos below.