Is Sacred Architecture the Pinnacle of History of Building

Technology?

Kate Ward

ARCH 649

Fall 2003

Secular Influences the Sacred

Crystal CathedralBy Philip Johnson & John BurgeeGarden Grove, CA

Church of the LightBy Tadao AndoIbaraki, Osaka, Japan

Crystal Cathedral vs. Church of the Light

Crystal Cathedral Church of the LightFaith Christian Christian

Function Church Chapel

Time 1977-1980 1988

Location Garden Grove, CA, USA Ibaraki, Osaka, Japan

Form Long, 4-pointed star plan

Long, rectilinear plan

BuildingTechnology

Glazed space frame walls and roof

Reinforced concrete with glass wall

Crystal Cathedral: Faith

Faith: Christian Faith influence on form: plan is based on Latin cross; the architects

“squished the nave and pulled out the trancept” to bring people closer to the chancel

Home of the nationally televised “Hour of Power”

Crystal Cathedral: Function

Function: Church Also functions as a television

studio, so the building must have a certain light set-up, possibly a certain sound set-up as well

Complex also has a advanced audio studio and television studio

Giant doors open to parking lot to allow building to function as a drive-in church as well

Crystal Cathedral: Time

Time: 1980 Televangelism was growing

stronger, and had no scandals yet Bell Tower was added for the

tenth anniversary of the cathedral. It was also designed by Philip Johnson

Crystal Cathedral: Location

Location: Garden Grove, CA, USA Location influence on design:

Glass is reflective, so only 8% of light and heat enter space No air-conditioning, but ventilated with motorized fin

windows Originally was to be surrounded by park, but now is

surrounded by parking lot Johnson: “Is God not in the car?” Allows for drive-in service

Suburban environment Windows let in views of the outside world

Crystal Cathedral: Form

Form: Long, 4-pointed star plan, tent-shaped elevation Form gives the church its popular name: “Crystal Cathedral” Building measures 207 by 415 ft, with a maximum height of 128 ft

(12 stories) Seats about 3,000, plus 1,000 more in the chancel

Crystal Cathedral: Building Technology

History of Space Frames

Alexander Graham Bell was one of the first to experiment with the structures that eventually became space frames. He developed kites and a 24 meter high tower during his experiments.

Early predecessors of space frames include the Eiffel Tower and many bridges.

Crystal Cathedral: Building Technology

History of Space Frames

Used to cover large spaces, such as hangars, auditoriums, etc. Geodesic domes are space frames – developed for homes, not

sacred architecture

Crystal Cathedral: Building Technology

History of Glass Buildings

Crystal Palace Seagram

Crystal Cathedral: Building Technology

History of Glass Buildings

Transco Tower, Houston Fountain Place, Dallas

Church of the Light: Faith

Faith: Christian Faith influence on form:

longitudinal plan for processionals

Church of the Light: Function

Function: Chapel Building is an addition to an

earlier wooden structure

Church of the Light: Time

Time: 1988

Church of the Light: Location

Location: Ibaraki, Osaka, Japan Tightly-packed residential

neighborhood Very small space Location influences form

L-shaped wall separates church from busy surroundings

No good views, so the windows are minimal – only the distinctive narrow cross window and a window opening into the L-shaped wall

Church of the Light: Location

Entrance is from the back, and is not direct – must turn 180 degrees to face the front of the building

Window opening to wall

Church of the Light: Form

Form: Long, rectilinear plan “The building can be described simply as a bare concrete box with a

wall cutting through it at a 15 degree angle. “ Proportion: 1:3:1 – rectangle can hold 3 spheres, each 5.9 meters in

diameter

Church of the Light: Building Technology

History of Reinforced Concrete

First successful use of reinforced concrete was by Jean-Louis Lambot to reinforce his boats.

Reinforced servant’s cottage was erected by William B. Wilkinson. Joseph Monier first used it as building material. He had patents for

its use in garden tubs and some posts and beams. First landmark reinforced concrete building in America was “Ward’s

Castle.”

Church of the Light: Building Technology

History of Reinforced Concrete

Common building material in buildings and highways

Conclusion

The building technology of each building was not developed for sacred buildings, but for secular buildings, nor is the technology used in innovative ways.

Sacred architecture is not the pinnacle of the history of building technology.

Further Questions

If the building technology is not innovative, or very distinctive, what makes the building sacred? Quality of light Atmosphere Separation from everyday Invitation of everyday Craftsmanship Form

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