Frank Lloyd Wright's First Christian Church

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0URB1JCDEkrC5F4YDKqC2O6FNDo-QRSV7aLM6O1BxIKJVAgsZYVQAc7M3LVwi0pYBkGzNoGU8fgaf-S3VOEYjX28O2oTvL0WjKaGMmdlzMGKz8imhtvmMHa-HfQ98pPGgGS88A-AFLGg/s1600/modern+architecture+in+the+trees.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0URB1JCDEkrC5F4YDKqC2O6FNDo-QRSV7aLM6O1BxIKJVAgsZYVQAc7M3LVwi0pYBkGzNoGU8fgaf-S3VOEYjX28O2oTvL0WjKaGMmdlzMGKz8imhtvmMHa-HfQ98pPGgGS88A-AFLGg/s1600/modern+architecture+in+the+trees.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>This past week I visited Phoenix, Arizona, and unexpectedly fell in love with the city. The desert landscape, friendly locals, warm winter weather, and dry air all impressed me.  Of course knowing me you know there was also a lot of architectural tourism going on!  Late in his life Frank Lloyd Wright moved to nearby Scottsdale to escape the cold winters in Wisconsin. His legacy is strong in Phoenix and many buildings bear his stamp.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8fMdVwCPKIaFVKiszUYnKvvxkgYgDX5VRNx1XEilUtU76g_vbfqzkKBvickxACihHoq1RcLs9bcWUJqtBuMF5nNTjcuQ4-G3Yg5ctOEStnJUooz_pWyXZFRyagv12Ftf8xjCTsqHnfI/s1600/first+christian+church.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8fMdVwCPKIaFVKiszUYnKvvxkgYgDX5VRNx1XEilUtU76g_vbfqzkKBvickxACihHoq1RcLs9bcWUJqtBuMF5nNTjcuQ4-G3Yg5ctOEStnJUooz_pWyXZFRyagv12Ftf8xjCTsqHnfI/s1600/first+christian+church.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>One of these buildings designed by Wright was actually built more than a decade after his death. The First Christian Church was designed for another organization in 1949. 20 years later the church needed a new building and bought the plans from Mrs.Wright at his nearby camp and school, Taliesin West, where the plans were stored.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBMBehFjce1e_KYUAraI2z98p_BdH9fhou5MqR0MOD3c_ldJ80NtRId7XuxacFhGqiblGtqrew9wePD-Th856IFJ0HvATY1zHTd5S_MFe5CNOR0SGg3ntBEZbZcvuZR1kLPPmxFaHVbDQ/s1600/frank+lloyd+wright+entry+drive.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBMBehFjce1e_KYUAraI2z98p_BdH9fhou5MqR0MOD3c_ldJ80NtRId7XuxacFhGqiblGtqrew9wePD-Th856IFJ0HvATY1zHTd5S_MFe5CNOR0SGg3ntBEZbZcvuZR1kLPPmxFaHVbDQ/s1600/frank+lloyd+wright+entry+drive.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Finished in 1973 the church appears to be triangular from any angle to reflect the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Ghost), while in fact is not 3-sided at all. Stone, concrete, glass, and copper fit in well to the desert landscape.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpjffrim29uSBLooE2U4r6KJD3KQmMbnXfMMWMSqsqNcjZ2EWkXATHFXVLrYxJ1pefyKuenuVP8q_sa_abYNfavcd4GHaEoitbmr6LqgdleuQmAgM-0eqsIoTnfwgUNhqwhigqUKH-6nA/s1600/concrete+forest.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpjffrim29uSBLooE2U4r6KJD3KQmMbnXfMMWMSqsqNcjZ2EWkXATHFXVLrYxJ1pefyKuenuVP8q_sa_abYNfavcd4GHaEoitbmr6LqgdleuQmAgM-0eqsIoTnfwgUNhqwhigqUKH-6nA/s1600/concrete+forest.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>This interesting concrete jungle near the entry provides a beautiful shaded outdoor spot to congregate away from the strong desert sun.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8NHYNWx2avbg8tGJUVejXpegD_yiAdMNJuHDHUgnsbGVQ3ACPt7z41bOdSmACxnZRy98ldwZWnbGq-Ry6__19a_mH4yOELWrC2N8Ph5FMcM9QYa5FL44ZktW7ShD97Vkv2LmDPohQ4Wg/s1600/modern+church.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8NHYNWx2avbg8tGJUVejXpegD_yiAdMNJuHDHUgnsbGVQ3ACPt7z41bOdSmACxnZRy98ldwZWnbGq-Ry6__19a_mH4yOELWrC2N8Ph5FMcM9QYa5FL44ZktW7ShD97Vkv2LmDPohQ4Wg/s1600/modern+church.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>While I remain a classicist my rules soften in different climates. Don't you agree this is a more suitable style in the circa 1973 suburban desert than a Gothic cathedral?<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuGiyPBjuwbGpn44HirKXt2UTjNjk838hXcNacSdPvXJlnrFkuqIGcoV2sbsCx2UROxtzs4Xg9fjR9jbMESrhl6jnmNuiK3rsgWOdCGruXXgqIzyHeQRknfW4Yl7cda-sEExZSNmzYzoA/s1600/Phoenix+Az+FLW.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuGiyPBjuwbGpn44HirKXt2UTjNjk838hXcNacSdPvXJlnrFkuqIGcoV2sbsCx2UROxtzs4Xg9fjR9jbMESrhl6jnmNuiK3rsgWOdCGruXXgqIzyHeQRknfW4Yl7cda-sEExZSNmzYzoA/s1600/Phoenix+Az+FLW.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Join me in the following weeks as I feature some of my discoveries in beautiful Phoenix, Arizona!

Frank Lloyd Wright's First Christian Church

This past week I visited Phoenix, Arizona, and unexpectedly fell in love with the city. The desert landscape, friendly locals, warm winter w...

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Cardboard architecture

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF8JoatjMlp3nty5D8ZsdggUFObVCcshX8aZ-T8XAiseYqnxRk31nVvOfG7uO88kEoiZ8ysphHc5OaVS3gJEiJDsZN6uxDtGJYoLIiABmKSWo1hsOp2QAx7I8pBPY41J-24g1cT4JGY8U/s1600/cardboard-christchurch-cathedral-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF8JoatjMlp3nty5D8ZsdggUFObVCcshX8aZ-T8XAiseYqnxRk31nVvOfG7uO88kEoiZ8ysphHc5OaVS3gJEiJDsZN6uxDtGJYoLIiABmKSWo1hsOp2QAx7I8pBPY41J-24g1cT4JGY8U/s400/cardboard-christchurch-cathedral-8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>This past weekend while reading the <a href="http://online.wsj.com/public/page/magazine-index.html">Wall Street Journal Magazine</a> (Nov 2013) I noticed a short article on the demise of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Gilbert_Scott">Gilbert Scott</a>'s neo-gothic Cathedral in Christchurch, New Zealand which had been decimated by many recent earthquakes.  The replacement (which the article failed to mention was temporary) was designed by architect <a href="http://www.shigerubanarchitects.com/">Shigeru Ban</a> completely out of cardboard! Ban, who has donated his services on similar churches throughout areas of the Eastern Hemisphere which faced similar <i>acts of God</i>, expects the cardboard cathedral to last 50 years if needed.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHePXCP-PuRuaWt3GCUAOlytsiFvQP1ja4xduBZC8xU-SVuU5SSUN2iTwLxMV3NvDV6tLY-8mlncex-bUYPtqmLdmdD9ia8ZsGr4s6sLAQfuCc7qpncqZaQDqopsm9Pyca_CzGOcNQz04/s1600/ChristchurchCathedral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHePXCP-PuRuaWt3GCUAOlytsiFvQP1ja4xduBZC8xU-SVuU5SSUN2iTwLxMV3NvDV6tLY-8mlncex-bUYPtqmLdmdD9ia8ZsGr4s6sLAQfuCc7qpncqZaQDqopsm9Pyca_CzGOcNQz04/s400/ChristchurchCathedral.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Above you can see Scott's stone <a href="http://www.cardboardcathedral.org.nz/">ChristChurch Cathedral</a> from 1904 before the damage and below the devastation numerous earthquakes in recent years had wrought.  The decision phase has been hard on the church as they decide whether or not to rebuild or if the damaged building was salvageable; turns out that sadly the existing church could not be saved. The city and preservationists were also involved as the Cathedral is a local landmark and a category #1 historic place ranking within New Zealand.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM4FQXl98JgTtwZ7GkO3SbGN37Sb3PobdpAEc2TeAYGxi4PGJ8ZFCcFD0Xqu8FT8y9610Ut9uhySdNNCnn4Eec0SgrDKGKYHOKjN85Rla_Ja7FOxAmpWgpsjQjdhy-v6KbBM6Q4rIdrlo/s1600/cardboard-christchurch-cathedral-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM4FQXl98JgTtwZ7GkO3SbGN37Sb3PobdpAEc2TeAYGxi4PGJ8ZFCcFD0Xqu8FT8y9610Ut9uhySdNNCnn4Eec0SgrDKGKYHOKjN85Rla_Ja7FOxAmpWgpsjQjdhy-v6KbBM6Q4rIdrlo/s400/cardboard-christchurch-cathedral-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>When I first read the article I was outraged at the current state of the architectural profession that a 50 year life expectancy was deemed an adequate replacement for such a structure - or in fact any structure. We talk so much about being 'green' but replacing buildings every 20-50 years is the anti-thesis to green. Buildings in Europe are in use that are a thousand years old which is a whole lot more 'green' than a lot of current building practices.....but that's a topic for another blog post. I was wrong in fact and the cardboard Cathedral is a temporary structure; crisis adverted.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCj0vqxQTNeEhw4VCEB_AQ2LawODs8Fxcht_dTjqF9XTe_nHBo1-NAOQW8W2CfncNp_tQaRxhSKlF5ROHGTQATkDfMQ6_N7CdfxGe1_zXdqEYuW0H8NtqFMBiq1-dvOx5ma3ndxoO1-k/s1600/Church+after+earthquake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCj0vqxQTNeEhw4VCEB_AQ2LawODs8Fxcht_dTjqF9XTe_nHBo1-NAOQW8W2CfncNp_tQaRxhSKlF5ROHGTQATkDfMQ6_N7CdfxGe1_zXdqEYuW0H8NtqFMBiq1-dvOx5ma3ndxoO1-k/s400/Church+after+earthquake.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>Can you imagine such a tragedy to your own church or landmark? So sad.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjprxrlFuumWL1Hvm6a23KrzYfZkXZhikZMEkm58OOETdcCUcH9gNCmvAkd1T1nBrpvJMuXkIwo2b06XO2UhZoR8xPTwSP4n2I5BnPUVqW3sEVcP4ag8daaQHKxtsqdzhgjO4XtV3BgY8g/s1600/cardboard-christchurch-cathedral-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjprxrlFuumWL1Hvm6a23KrzYfZkXZhikZMEkm58OOETdcCUcH9gNCmvAkd1T1nBrpvJMuXkIwo2b06XO2UhZoR8xPTwSP4n2I5BnPUVqW3sEVcP4ag8daaQHKxtsqdzhgjO4XtV3BgY8g/s400/cardboard-christchurch-cathedral-12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ban's design was a simple A-frame structure of huge cardboard tubes covered with a clear polycarbonate roof to keep off the weather. The ends are then infilled with stained glass with super-imposed photo images from the old Cathedral (see last few images). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS2_PoOJBfC3_CbquGoKLynXnXUb-ZFsxbrhwbiCjI4zIQ-c3Pcgi9W3AONHsgHHrI2WSd5e45u9S_N3ngkqYVrwCUvgJrHHSRVwsVbKNgP2gm60gje8Pgd6lMiIQLdExjtO4cS88xmXI/s1600/513f72c5b3fc4b7556000005_shigeru-ban-s-cardboard-cathedral-underway-in-new-zealand_8492327319_ac82b74d53_b-528x396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS2_PoOJBfC3_CbquGoKLynXnXUb-ZFsxbrhwbiCjI4zIQ-c3Pcgi9W3AONHsgHHrI2WSd5e45u9S_N3ngkqYVrwCUvgJrHHSRVwsVbKNgP2gm60gje8Pgd6lMiIQLdExjtO4cS88xmXI/s400/513f72c5b3fc4b7556000005_shigeru-ban-s-cardboard-cathedral-underway-in-new-zealand_8492327319_ac82b74d53_b-528x396.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Above you can see the structure getting erected a few blocks away from the old Cathedral while it continues to be demolished and the site prepared for rebuilding.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbIblJYwwhn3-JsXtYxkSphfNYyL8SuQFjoaTzaJoMM9TQ6_y7oobBz1CApICsQg8-JYQoSxYMwiEK044r5Z1jjNg_qADKHw_R1M__Dg552ZMHN-LPdHi-AuHqxDCkTLvT1hawBdUSBE/s1600/cardboard-christchurch-cathedral-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbIblJYwwhn3-JsXtYxkSphfNYyL8SuQFjoaTzaJoMM9TQ6_y7oobBz1CApICsQg8-JYQoSxYMwiEK044r5Z1jjNg_qADKHw_R1M__Dg552ZMHN-LPdHi-AuHqxDCkTLvT1hawBdUSBE/s400/cardboard-christchurch-cathedral-11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The finished project is a beautiful example of modern ecclesiastic architecture in my opinion, and you know I'm primarily a classicist!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieUTWVeQi5Vqb-QXyeumdQLhrwsVg8rxwuKoRyKY788X7rZkYgfwDc8ErVV4nFE9YQWhHdAeh6yoaxFsnoRAFIYPXPHN9kNf1rbDu3ghCUbTNrh3d0NQWheFw2OIVFW4d3J2fx7kkq0JY/s1600/cardboard-christchurch-cathedral-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieUTWVeQi5Vqb-QXyeumdQLhrwsVg8rxwuKoRyKY788X7rZkYgfwDc8ErVV4nFE9YQWhHdAeh6yoaxFsnoRAFIYPXPHN9kNf1rbDu3ghCUbTNrh3d0NQWheFw2OIVFW4d3J2fx7kkq0JY/s400/cardboard-christchurch-cathedral-10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The finished space holds 700 parishioners.  I love that it includes something of the old Cathedral (the stained glass images) while leading the way for the congregation to the future and their rebuilding; hopefully a structurally sound replica of the old Cathedral.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQdzNQXkpTAMrNjrLIpmCadrY1RUx5GBzmHReaI1TFwxhyphenhyphenw07EsEGlZ3ZZnUku8DZ93IundRiqkftcKbqzmYcmrjsaoz7IA2NXNbdU9d3b8386hubWlGloXIUIX8AEmCF1ntwWbGBLnM/s1600/5217f9f2e8e44e3de6000016_newly-released-photos-of-shigeru-ban-s-cardboard-cathedral-in-new-zealand_anderson_mg_5639-528x792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQdzNQXkpTAMrNjrLIpmCadrY1RUx5GBzmHReaI1TFwxhyphenhyphenw07EsEGlZ3ZZnUku8DZ93IundRiqkftcKbqzmYcmrjsaoz7IA2NXNbdU9d3b8386hubWlGloXIUIX8AEmCF1ntwWbGBLnM/s400/5217f9f2e8e44e3de6000016_newly-released-photos-of-shigeru-ban-s-cardboard-cathedral-in-new-zealand_anderson_mg_5639-528x792.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>What do you think of the <i>temporary</i> replacement and cardboard buildings in general? Could you worship here?<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha4wA7CwBQPRTvq1W-f9FYlcq6KpESYedym7ECN620H9Wf6UGDwPGE_mEFRBZjLY54ijERY86XtCMndH0MYvPu-Rwf2Tmc5-M06JeVWxGpx-A9EQ3sVcMuxAu3MrcRhJrJfpTKGXxOGNE/s1600/5217f9dce8e44e21bb00000a_newly-released-photos-of-shigeru-ban-s-cardboard-cathedral-in-new-zealand_anderson_mg_5749-528x792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha4wA7CwBQPRTvq1W-f9FYlcq6KpESYedym7ECN620H9Wf6UGDwPGE_mEFRBZjLY54ijERY86XtCMndH0MYvPu-Rwf2Tmc5-M06JeVWxGpx-A9EQ3sVcMuxAu3MrcRhJrJfpTKGXxOGNE/s400/5217f9dce8e44e21bb00000a_newly-released-photos-of-shigeru-ban-s-cardboard-cathedral-in-new-zealand_anderson_mg_5749-528x792.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><i>Images sourced from various news sources and not my own.</i>

Cardboard architecture

This past weekend while reading the Wall Street Journal Magazine (Nov 2013) I noticed a short article on the demise of Gilbert Scott 's...

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Bryn Athyn Cathedral

<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5767732233238812738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLWEBeyTWM7jj5SXXF20uJ9glQkNi5vbmTjsc8-3cmboU5Wf5f5oICLRHczVDF73-tH_KBWSY8cq5DxYAueveUx_59Vqc-ed94PYo5JPVCVmM0lcJjIrFxc35ieyrsDV_aBJroDmFPhBJ0/s400/gardens+3.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: pointer" />Located adjacent to <a href="http://interior-design-pictures.blogspot.com/2012/07/housetour-cairnwood.html">Cairnwood</a> is the <a href="http://www.brynathyncathedral.org/">Bryn Athyn Cathedral</a>; Literally next door or if you want to be technical, in the side yard of the house. <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5767732741806825266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhikWvWORY94GMrMuiEnshf4vKe3X08-4RAWmDykb7UCtnikaC8sBVs4JCPZ3nsoYcdTE5Ie4l5btXozEb64hEUMlceNRJ3bBlJ1SIdb2QvNvavxefwKSuTIV9-rGGRvFLrUMQ0ZnH2nlRN/s400/bryn+athyn+cathedral+3.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 291px; CURSOR: pointer" />The Cathedral is the seat of the "New Church" and was donated by John Pitcairn and was mainly designed by his son Raymond Pitcairn. <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5767732685681801218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYgkl8i_sMbIiB-1xmt_lbtDlAoLDEbgAxRZkmcgmOwwoF0sph0lxXDDyEXilXaLgy-k8Ga5S5XQE1DAO_pazb_S56gtDNPA2QdOILFw6rXOlKATjoNlK_0GmSj89SqrsN2RHq1p82glr/s400/cathedral+facade+2.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" />Of course the benefit to this location is that each room of the house (Cairnwood) is afforded picturesque views of a gorgeous cathedral. Plus the commute to chapel for the religious Pitcairn family was definitely convienent!<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5767732241225312242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDyRN2hRMVQImQ1DduGTqXPMmP34v8vqeNXqaX5FKYiQdJNHW3HRFIn5gFMUtkFbUArLmEt1lWPtZsBTzQUfeHUIcIWPITtwa_DF-CSgfJuuBiFvUwylRCiU2C6dnSEUZjr63Hky8AJTr/s400/front+garden.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" />The main bulk of the structure was started in 1913 and finished in 1919. Designed in an early Gothic style, later smaller additions (designed by Raymond) are in Norman Romanesque. <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5767732229127272082" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCZNat4oxFEB51whDy2gCGVcbvNh1ZcwbLsmAxHrZC_5jBzo0YD-dPTMyYAPU3elkBZYacvGhx32mTBT2TWGKHBAAszWPkSnM1JA-2aj3UbfqlTjNpBdPTFJ6F2kZMC1YXQYQPmcwdfHu/s400/gardens.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 290px; CURSOR: pointer" />Strangely enough, this style is historically earlier creating the impression that the larger main tower was built later.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxnoTdQ0v7aQrtRbpiJF1_fdk-hTYJr2qNFYv02i2HFNOJx7qqcQWsipN13Ta7QiEXv8aXK9NjzAj78jMjum4HD44SovpZ7kyU9xxo77733Dx5V6VyAooc3IM051aA8eP-e0WhXQaFbCo9/s1600/Bryn+Athyn+Cathedral.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5767732690354965874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxnoTdQ0v7aQrtRbpiJF1_fdk-hTYJr2qNFYv02i2HFNOJx7qqcQWsipN13Ta7QiEXv8aXK9NjzAj78jMjum4HD44SovpZ7kyU9xxo77733Dx5V6VyAooc3IM051aA8eP-e0WhXQaFbCo9/s400/Bryn+Athyn+Cathedral.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 298px; CURSOR: pointer" /></a>The design was based on Gloucestor Cathedral in England and is immense (the main tower rises 150 ft!), only plunked down in rural Pennsylvania.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5767732540545062786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKPRwiOb7AWa9oOsXMM2Qpj7PeJAgl_oxac-6y-4oOd3l6LSkrDCwheAKVpH_NYBWeufnwkp-kq6Qv4czNapMTdbAWqLpJRjFyPwUzTC5NEfXairIr6vxjfDB7dVyII_gIftyiv-hTtKM/s400/cloister+2.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 297px; CURSOR: pointer" />Beside the tower is a leg of a cloister which was designed to be fully enclosed (creating a square courtyard) but was never completed. <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5767732531722426978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_L-IdniTXsqlamp8lFa9v1jKcY2SN23aPfC8_pQ9zd46bycSFRue8RN1_xFdHmwSmm6LNBQNMW2qwvywLbbW_aTTjjd9Plph015XjOBIP7Hiai_OiUxmJSmvttKX6Q85j_eVugBqPy3NR/s400/cloister+4.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 292px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: pointer" />Here you can see the beautiful detail to the stonework.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5767732526036935394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTc0YLjlbx9Xl8mG7p3Sfd9WVo7DwmK8Ucq8Y-Mxnf-7KNmhHI5NAA4ypgn5MyNwajE7MbJ_2kLkOwWbSn62I1j3lx2pidV00gWE2kMLsukakGZjv0NuXG87y9FqhbfhVUt8cpocyg4y-o/s400/cloister+interior+2.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: pointer" />The church sees a lot of active use as you can see by the furnishings and immaculate cleanliness.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5767732516194306466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigm-SfUaDzsPim2ClgOo1ofqwQSnGxPu1Fj2ne4STYUElIeCpXRzZqEbdhEhDM4Qy9nhRS2QwCcxbAxcUIqmEljEyzu9EP7RcD7O9J4RqJrPO3_CBQiLon7PRxyf-p9FAS9OauaCGxiExa/s400/cloister+interior+3.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: pointer" />Stone as far as the eye can see.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5767732677703373538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOOJYODWqHh6HU2-O7k5cVom3cmICUyUnhxc1vojMf-wDYlcnaAP1JdTngo15yVDkvRgSzc5eM63hcxifex9_3TpNF8_OL2VQIqtsmggFQgqdSAJLyGBd-54QMW89FKQu_v93OLZP6kPmV/s400/cathedral+small+tower.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 292px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: pointer" />The superb craftsmanship of everything makes this building so special, just look at these door handles.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5767732511376872818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-IXhKXHHWwl4PGUUG3myV4rzojrMF1wbj7Rdtr-Vi5KSh5BLixUTmGmjuNGGUdmOuTYaVmUiyXRyZJMBsgF6iNxYERKrglBjv5KMVM_AyfmulFL04j29okf20oiw2M8PQdAS_2AgysIwP/s400/detail+2.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 298px; CURSOR: pointer" />Everything is as special as a Cathedral should be.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5767731630609138098" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWnUNv5z6G3mUotplIKFfAQl7wpy1WeCieqCnwHFMI97yejknmULKDVuhE0iAszMUpZ1SQ9nCeGWVafDhnjZQAC7NLC7aP9YLuimQudkJhsXIyn37QlOJMYE_Q1vNRq2TiW-wDyKE1w76/s400/side+door.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 293px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: pointer" />I loved this little private side door off an intimate garden.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5767731633492782610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhia4jiR3mD3O6LcdGaHO6XF147PklCWiAu6LmkLghXzRejiuA6KBy5zpXKfDeGpBx6YK5luSvdxy_pzzdF0psJthR9ug7bzCTolwMCpGFBO4Apz9dJubkE6a1tvA0Rv-HTPOYJ48N8irRZ/s400/side+door+detail.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 277px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: pointer" />No detail was overlooked.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5767732372544148658" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRKiu6FTLcb_BEpDzlSYf2LrrcEZuMcGnj-x1yttcXcx0R8muH8Y5bwDN34eJZPeJKOLb-C8kFpHkyH0UvkRgLOZTY69J_AXA8MxuB5NUnjChDn4xTQM4lUttqhVvMGZ95b29T-3n32rpk/s400/exterior+stair.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 296px; CURSOR: pointer" />The details of this side exterior stair were really incredible.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5767732375201808642" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfeqfMGNTfJsIjA68TtlApVmqQxR7sqKnZ6A_5PQmS9t0yB_bue_cF9sdM71T_MDYaiBQXigiTkoA2MVb50f_FJlKQmXC1g1daThnZYMVeGtdiax20ZG6oCve2eUURpxz3Ts0yP6m2rheh/s400/exterior+stair+detail.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 292px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: pointer" />Ezekials Tower, seen here, was completed in 1926 and lies off to the side of the main structure.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5767732027647656370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9L8ppx84sr27T99gsPoLAZ1vFai38LNnaVVTkb7jkpZDDj83_2C3v-ePvMNKWGvvgDJA85kbQW4qzKRbRtwk80fJPZEOz_l5yojUvG4PmQk3nX24U9nzEfK48bf-85q9Ts8vXhD7W93S1/s400/side+chapel.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: pointer" />Again, I just couldn't get over the amount of detail.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5767732032508667682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq4Gop2Q_aB6ZdBjLAbGqsFJTFI5VMkVp0lUTHIPlu0HNGI0DacqPVm5MtrW50UctBJB7C3qP8_SU5kOS63ReqyzT5W6LWjGUgb4TIeQq3Y1rDZdd9rYbfEgD63wJ_LCMCRg6KILplZV9o/s400/side+chapel+detail.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 295px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: pointer" />Even each little basement window grate was different and a work of art.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5767732046222997042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE13EHETxFV7PZvsAOZvohEAAX1chqThsNord38lTgTZYfpSyxszJquMXDnHH_2V8G8PgobkFfKHYEip2rhKkLob96TzM5GNOgEE1oko-cwioXPrcxW1DmVHOloI2xUkUr21l3RGFVlXGx/s400/ironwork.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 290px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: pointer" />Before going inside, lets take a look at the floorplan. <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5767732363300297122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjQM_8U1EYUtkmL-zWjxIgWbd6JC_PjHmoaO7zkwTopxDDgD3Hp_6JaDI5kdRqY8bXwy6wCgVvQexvwJ6zMD3t62rSdY13gmbMevZUos8cQbNH7u9WG4U1PUtqBETDOrT-LIUVkikJHQCY/s400/FloorPlan.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 314px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: pointer" />If you look closely, you can see that nothing was built straight. This was purposeful and not a result of being done mainly without drawings (in the 20th century no less!). This mimic'd ancient cathedrals of Europe where it was also done intentionally. <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5767732214955461442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDh1s2ZALTw3l_7RNc2S5u51tZiRVRax9o3MmDTxa43liY5x64WRJ0a6F-6PsD-JAe7PlCBQpir1Jz2SSpvF5tM2pO-X2m-KZdu46gYsnL4koaw8Z3gS1WW9vHvHncZAN7j0aG2lpy_RJn/s400/interior+choir+hall.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: pointer" />To the North of the church lies Michael's Tower (the main entrance) and the choir hall (seen above).<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghYbEYu2TOORNeYJDXmb9evX_6KGY9OksxmIb17rRVtX2Hku-vX0V6rRGUYTPkkAVx6-3iUUQU3pTIuj-rpj7L724MDONeJ5zvZK9dB66uG01AaN7Az_z7fC4vgy6kVozE1QX2EjbMiyQd/s1600/cathedral+front+door+interior.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5767732681742961154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghYbEYu2TOORNeYJDXmb9evX_6KGY9OksxmIb17rRVtX2Hku-vX0V6rRGUYTPkkAVx6-3iUUQU3pTIuj-rpj7L724MDONeJ5zvZK9dB66uG01AaN7Az_z7fC4vgy6kVozE1QX2EjbMiyQd/s400/cathedral+front+door+interior.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: pointer" /></a>I thought this was a shame as the main entrance to the chapel is this gorgeous metal door, facing a spectacular view.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5767732665871251906" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfIqenV1T4e9rJJEMnWICnnZ2JJ8b0603WjKtiiOlt4TpVNfuT5nPRC6SO19EQIMfclAwDe8O5w3JgwNtpXahyphenhyphenbE7JS22jCJPsk_ZSUfp_I4MoHqO8AjifDQJe4GLJEluBzXKWo6zDWwrf/s400/church+interior.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 298px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: pointer" />Can you believe this cathedral is in rural Pennsylvania?!<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5767732040773482258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOfhOy3zD8XWWejwbllVDbPeL3R5-2-AEab7tIPLLveX2S40qLLST_u8KwWJdIgEDng877dyR_XmdgmrrR3rPLfGXSk8ML8F_UfL3CFc0sZfdZ6s3UxNZ4KJuty-URaz7VY1cGPhyRNJO_/s400/roof+beams.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" />All of the wood seen here is teak and the Pitcairn's bought an entire boatload of the wood which had been an order left by someone else (who doesn't love a deal). Teak is used for ceilings and doors here at the Cathedral as well as in Raymond's own amazing house which I will show you next week. The guide I spoke too said the family still has a barn full of the unused teak!<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5767732054549550210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRx9K2NI_P93-chyphenhyphensb-2pwL8yHPkYTZN4bWhBarvNJ-pgASeFvpfoptEEX_EM2NmL8vb8P5uHq2kYYaRuzthyphenhyphen52iUKt6eIqMFmbMcchnLcpj7PVUBlWG5enS-y22gc48BfpeWiYKqICqds/s400/interior+window.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 282px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: pointer" />Fittingly enough Raymond developed the techniques used in creating all of the stained glass on the grounds of Cairnwood. I say fitting as part of the families' fortune, if you will remember, came from the forming of PPG (Pittsburgh Plate Glass).<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5767731624232065554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48OxUKKvlessopG16g6UQywNSe0_-Gd-XPxYSS5r7ULH8BSP3Z_y_RhqqDjBOzUkhHobK8j-UN4pMTjUHsGi6wCj8GiGL1LZ3YKq9Rt8ZoqLJ86maUiZIn3c-NyKQqyQY9KLx_DHDJzvY/s400/stained+glass+2.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 273px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: pointer" />Raymond collected and studied medieval stained glass to replicate the lost techniques used. <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5767731612236239970" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_HGLVd3yJ1ztQQbz6Ee5rK2tjLvD-d9nHTttWDYfXBR5Knmr0yxWRdLBNqvTOAIPlkgIfcOBFLASXb8irLrxSZQf_F-Bbi48uVz27iL-_J0_Nt6XmuFeN7z0qF71igDwRIiA4toDPljdj/s400/stained+glass.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 294px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: pointer" />The details on these windows are incredible and you would never guess many were created as late as the 1960s.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCLWSABuAJKL4f-DDaenY6stUo29-8ktZ_OlpvtnVzBMUUzeJ9wFJSXU5QdpXd6ttvWx-VeQP1Rr7AOSoX9K3KfpHaaaeurmFuTPZAYn6NSXRBzL_PfScPMPV40HsquKfnRL9K1vDrZc1k/s1600/stained+glass+detail.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5767731613999209042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCLWSABuAJKL4f-DDaenY6stUo29-8ktZ_OlpvtnVzBMUUzeJ9wFJSXU5QdpXd6ttvWx-VeQP1Rr7AOSoX9K3KfpHaaaeurmFuTPZAYn6NSXRBzL_PfScPMPV40HsquKfnRL9K1vDrZc1k/s400/stained+glass+detail.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: pointer" /></a> Again, I urge you all to visit and support both <a href="http://interior-design-pictures.blogspot.com/2012/07/housetour-cairnwood.html">Cairnwood</a> and <a href="http://www.brynathyncathedral.org/">Bryn Athyn Cathedral</a>!

Bryn Athyn Cathedral

Located adjacent to Cairnwood is the Bryn Athyn Cathedral ; Literally next door or if you want to be technical, in the side yard of the hou...

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The Chapel at Seaside

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9KnJz097qnAm1lRPZJMlntW2loxd75pavrqytHg4sWTmdC2cVk4Qq1filOH9B3wdYnSAf_XxS1oHjXXzJ-w8PWH4UwlYhh_gTaS38OSmfyGyNjmhVf_ao5LWcYzo7uWoUhrOIFiUDOK81/s1600/steeple.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717391063507277618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9KnJz097qnAm1lRPZJMlntW2loxd75pavrqytHg4sWTmdC2cVk4Qq1filOH9B3wdYnSAf_XxS1oHjXXzJ-w8PWH4UwlYhh_gTaS38OSmfyGyNjmhVf_ao5LWcYzo7uWoUhrOIFiUDOK81/s400/steeple.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> No small town is complete without a church. <a href="http://interior-design-pictures.blogspot.com/2012/03/seaside-florida.html">Seaside</a> has an adorable white board-and-batten <a href="http://www.seasidechapel.org/">chapel </a>built in the tradition of such churches but with a modern edge.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717391058635164130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQrkwc-3gSHzjZy11Ux-tpdCMEU3L1VGiZkrz7YX8E131PKlvTdAaAimU4UAblduXk5FbPcIu-EDhWieuDAlbGizwqY1yMbHZ4eY4cc2tVbwqxlI-u52wNBdbi2caeSI_X13ocDz-feja/s400/Seaside+church.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 301px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" />The non-denominational chapel was designed by Scott Merrill of <a href="http://www.merrillpastor.com/">Merrill and Pastor Architects </a>on land donated by the founders of Seaside, Robert and Daryl Davis.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717391049727514930" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6OUYfYK7U2R6cMdxybk4Qi5HUKKL-t-moS4qR-vqpW8f7KanJQHOmm346MoiWWOqSl_yyrEAaiQlLiysygZDr9gLI812rPnXRDDESR1q8mUzVnA5mGjYP4JHUZXpPxqDlxRZJhDUrtyV/s400/white+church.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" />Designed to be the tallest building in town, the chapel is given extra prominence by being the end point of the center line of town; a true focal point.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717391044133424914" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0Qdr7euqb6iASTM2DyiFfuiVntnhNOb9Yd2OS9-bBOE1ixGfhw2hnib7koOB-zYVi_YDbn2D3Op7U8F7zgCZ9u-t6rmIDwpS85lt7aV6GjdZc8QKglPJ09vjU-aY7xjtI1yA94TQByAs/s400/church+interior.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" />My father being a minister, I have very definite ideas about churches of course, and this one hits the mark on every item. I love the old fashioned pews and the paneled Apse or Altar front. Tall ceilings and fans help in the hot summer weather.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717391039417463586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7rEHwv-LsrZy6yyXW8JYk8M5S_63Cb2YYs_sVcSEGPzCbd3hk4s-U42958-CkK4McjmZ0w7HMSJQMLYUVfnPOmnyIq00rLyAiNMLPwulHBX5pK7DSAsPN88o6F0GZh1ydsJWjBH6ax9w/s400/outdoor+grove.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" />Adjacent to the main building is a charming outdoor chapel formed by an allee of trees and breezeway off the front of the church. Read more about the chapel and see some great photos at the blog <a href="http://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/the-seaside-chapel/">Life of an Architect</a>.

The Chapel at Seaside

No small town is complete without a church. Seaside has an adorable white board-and-batten chapel built in the tradition of such churches ...

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San Giorgio Maggiore

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtghY8ozQWS47g5-8nqQDj1r1p2WywOAh8bwICBCmqWB8-4BfoT4krdYoc1EsLLCTEf18clgKMt3gLknlyXuYm7oZqGk5SCVEbfvDGX_3QnV1MnBIEp8ULNHoimFusGWE9dptGsaY3VMhv/s1600/San+Giorgio+Maggiore.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675256621937460626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtghY8ozQWS47g5-8nqQDj1r1p2WywOAh8bwICBCmqWB8-4BfoT4krdYoc1EsLLCTEf18clgKMt3gLknlyXuYm7oZqGk5SCVEbfvDGX_3QnV1MnBIEp8ULNHoimFusGWE9dptGsaY3VMhv/s400/San+Giorgio+Maggiore.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 301px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>Yesterday I showed you <a href="http://interior-design-pictures.blogspot.com/2011/11/venice-from-air.html">Venice from the air</a> via the bell tower of San Giorgio Maggiore. Today we'll explore the interior of the church.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675256614269507634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDFOeJMLXUCtvhjZvhd3nOhJzyd1qJVA_i62c2WXiCV0mmGxVcXEMvaYe7QRzyNBdvGRoLcyFuCwo3IgJ-jy46oqSuOUDFEOxh1W9dnCa5aubujV7EJQ5XSzD2UW5_XfVdR4s03OxGVlvN/s400/transept.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" />As I said yesterday, the building was designed by noted architect Andrea Palladio in 1565 after he had worked on the adjacent monastery for the Benedictine Monks who run the church.<br /><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuRAvmvnJv4RAz2Wuwdxf6IbnUvPme7bVFwvGvBWVQdct0q7xcq3uCJsutGFvqTECEj-Vvk1OxDAOobUthziqsmv0CaNh3njuY1z1EMK_v_xuCMg-Uqa3Vs5P7zFIHpnM6UWllq5n2Phv6/s1600/piers.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675256611465498178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuRAvmvnJv4RAz2Wuwdxf6IbnUvPme7bVFwvGvBWVQdct0q7xcq3uCJsutGFvqTECEj-Vvk1OxDAOobUthziqsmv0CaNh3njuY1z1EMK_v_xuCMg-Uqa3Vs5P7zFIHpnM6UWllq5n2Phv6/s400/piers.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>The church was finished in 1610, 30 years after Palladio's death. <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675256521448904162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsPF3y2I-an_HX3pIATGaRpqbjF3Dj6QrrSXJULOqzk3h21ZcWamdtdiSykQ-x3C9xuNGPw8Ro29hp_tlMPiQkqmzGzzL-Qd8RUnqyHA21qdORXsNWexdLFhLgVc7eTSySMDF0fs4Cwjk7/s400/piers+and+nave.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" />The original bell tower from 1467 fell down in 1774 and was rebuilt 20 years later in Neoclassical style to better suit Palladio's efforts.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675256515732026194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIcvfKhSgGR1W4-GgaOIH80T_g5xCbWzkZPQo85dTdMTFJOU0d7QC8Z0qZiNarUJXmaOwPIc5f7n0M-IL3nJaJ4VagU682ZVMU7ZCyxJV1wPlC6s7rmL9CNpSh_FW0fDA07v2QzVNkRyw/s400/from+the+apse.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" />At the crux of the center nave, where the tower is located, is a strange smoke machine installed for the <a href="http://www.labiennale.org/en/Home.html">Biennale</a>. <br /><div><br /><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675256505730045666" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJNH0cX7r7Rv8zS-V5nHdRBrd-z4kkrkbyZxCvJJOu_Fxv1fA46MExmdgRRIaDKaTI6SwXp7hqHnQNSR2e2OgigxQvX6YdQC5ey05tiq2tR4Y05TjO9hv4uOSLFMoqxmvcMjZdkQMZiCZ5/s400/smoke.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" />Now that explains the strange piping we saw on the roof <a href="http://interior-design-pictures.blogspot.com/2011/11/venice-from-air.html">yesterday</a>! <br /><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675256213581081122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibgYf6Ia75n2KfSROQQ6l-RbGvExIMo3uMxUjQ-Qbz_HZvZ8FLQXRcbzDra3bzii6eUTqOtf8CoIAgAjk4DAFJIE3q5ZTylHvh8b661xu5BHgFs2Jv2Oj_GMPbwEmsMgfzj3Cpf8gfM54t/s400/altar.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" />The interior is crisp, white and clean -the type of classicism I love best. <br /><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675256218635877554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyH_k2qAF9tdFKvOImCNQLAi8qeeSWIv8f-d2JFw7fvsA6KDRAkC95svQg0gC9VKPQR5HHC6ynTWkWvh3AjPhO2SRM8aNGluancDcaNnduyOhastQTsJaXnPq1-0wsFKOwEc48zRUXrgnk/s400/apse.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" />Located behind the apse alter screen, seen above, is a beautiful choir stall.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675256235292813138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHyr3x06p4KeE2lGAYoPONdoChkTw5wqbBHQF17sChUtroJq9mMF2UDeLNBzlZ0RXlPiB2Zw3EFV9LmtqrwArhJiSUfTB2xMLU5nwwBnXi8dJ0agctBS8Hev-Q10Q1BkEjF-E9JeAdOdy9/s400/choir.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" />Designed by Palladio, the stalls were built between 1580 and 1589.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675256227936100274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi7G74cb_QTdDLShSGwIV6VA9vUwVMwJWtWNunAUxx2wDbdfoh5BYNxvUNq2fBDPDRo17hkFg-2wJbPLLBB7lqYIpxBN-AjUFP2xAX1mWeHcmw9A0Wi3AGQMmgwTY9PbpPpi3uGRw-nxfY/s400/choir+stalls.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" />And I couldn't let you go without a close up of the gorgeous marble floors!<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675256504201246914" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimJPDFKKiQVk2Ze8aF4yOBJMLwOWYCy2AIZ8soX8bBy3KhuZ-UXDhxPtxdWSD6nnAfHwX9XCvsZitulJLXaPtCZ0Bd8cTN5vHvvVJVu14LE_agMzXQEhjCZDr5QODpZgOO1nYirHd7aOaO/s400/marble+floor+pattern.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /> <br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>

San Giorgio Maggiore

Yesterday I showed you Venice from the air via the bell tower of San Giorgio Maggiore. Today we'll explore the interior of the church. ...

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