Monday, January 16, 2017

Southwest Christian Seminary - Part 3

The relationship between the interior and exterior continues in the web-like garden, with a grassy arbor on the east side and garden on the west side of the chapel section. Acting as a mental extension of the interior chapel the outdoor space is made up of ten more triangular columns, now fully circumlocutory. The shape of these unique columns in plan view is that of geometrically triangular star polygons, or concave equilateral hexagon, that tapers towards the ground. Each column is adorned with concentric triangular forms, continuing the trinity motif. Each of the exterior concrete columns is connected in a web-like pattern by horizontal concrete slabs for a roof-like structure for the arbor. This roof-life structure acts as a continuation of the stepped blue roof that dominates the composition.
            The space created by these heavy concrete columns and roof-like structure is both intimate and free-flowing, both spacious and human scale. One can feel both the security and firmness of the structure and also easily look beyond the structure to the heavens above. The grassy arbor to the west is uniform and almost maze-like, while the east side garden, not part of the original design, is structured around a water fountain which faces toward the chapel wall. This water feature and large concrete paving stones create an enclosure to the otherwise exterior space.
            To Wright Organic-Architecture did not simply means "of nature," but rather that the design feels natural in the space. The principles of Organic-Architecture are embodied into the design of the First Christian Church of Phoenix through the building’s relationship to its landscape, in the variety of ways the building harmonizes with the nature of its materials, natural and geometric form and the use of a natural spectrum of colors. Like his own beloved Taliesin West Wright utilized locally harvested natural materials, dramatic roof lines and a playful interaction between inside and outside space to create a space which is aesthetically completely different from his earlier Prairie Style, yet both clearly reflect his architectural philosophies that would make him one of the celebrated architects in history.






No comments:

Post a Comment

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...