Architecture in modern museums and how it links to the traditions of worship essay
It is a common believe that the architecture of cathedrals, abbey churches and basilicas is the architecture of such church buildings that are in general of a huge size. It should be mentioned that many cathedrals, basilicas, and abbey churches are considered to be the world’s most renowned works of architecture. That’s why, it seems important to examine one of the most unique and most amazing church buildings when regarding the modern times- the Church of the water, (Japan), Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral (UK), and St. Basil’s Cathedral (Russia).
The Church of the water (Japan)
The Church of the water in Japan was designed by a famous self-taught Japanese architect -Tadao Ando- in 1991 (palazzograssi.it). According to his philosophy, people should not just put a new thing into the place because they should also absorb all the things that they can see around. Only after that you are to use the gained knowledge together “with contemporary thinking to interpret what you see.” Hence, it is clear that this idea is apparent in his design of the Church of the water as well. What’s more, it should not be omitted that Tadao Ando is rather famous for paying a lot of attention to nature, beauties as well as to the connection between the inner and outer spaces in the buildings that he created.
According to Library.thinkquest.org, when seeing this church from the outside, it seems to be naturally growing simply from the hill where it stands. However, we may see that the real genius work of Tadao is revealed in the inner par of the church as when being in the chapel it’s only the pretty lake along with the hills blending seamlessly with the amazing chapel’s granite-tiled floor can be seen. What’s more, a white metal cross centrally located outside the church is the church’s unifying element and a so called separation between the inner and outer parts of the church.
Furthermore, the church of the water is surrounded by hills and trees to the west, and a lovely hotel is to the east. It is interesting to mention that the church has a form of two overlapping cubes and it faces a lake, going down to the small natural river. As to the bigger cube, serving as the chapel, it meets the smaller cube’s entrance that has a lovely semi-circular spiral staircase. A rather long, L-shaped wall is situated along the southern and eastern parts of the church, lining the edge of the lake to divide the church from the hotel behind it. (Sveiven, “AD Classics…”)
It should be said that the harmony with nature is of vital importance to Ando. He never had any university-level in architecture, so, it is obvious that his designs feature a natural basis. What’s more, the buildings of Ando have a remarkable consistency in the vital relationship with the environment, surroundings and nature.(Library.thinkquest.org)
It should be concluded that Ando achieved a great success in his intentions of creating a real sacred space by means of ritualistic and circuitous entry route and by the L-shaped wall, distinguishing the church of the water as a protected and isolated space apart from the hotel, which is situated behind it. Moreover, the church’s natural environment adds to the experience, in particular during the cold season, between December and April, as everything is covered in snow.
Finally, the chapel is considered to be one of the most desired wedding destinations among all Japanese women, as a result many weddings are held there every year. Nevertheless, the big glass wall remains closed almost all the time with the aim of the weather damage protection, still it can be opened for the ceremonies, uniting all the guests of the wedding with the amazing natural world that is outside the windows. (Sveiven, “AD Classics…”) Needless to say, that is a really amazing and peaceful place.
The Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral
The neo-gothic Liverpool Cathedral is regarded as one of the greatest creations of the past century (visitnorthwest.com). The full name of the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral is the Metropolitan Cathedral Church of Christ the King Liverpool. It is situated in Liverpool, UK, and it is a Roman Catholic cathedral, being a Mother Church to the Catholics of the whole Archdiocese of Liverpool and besides, it shouldn’t be omitted that it is thronged a lot during the year for different religious services, such as special diocesan and celebrations. In addition, the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral is regarded as the natural focus of Catholics from many visitors, looking for worship with familiar rites. What’s more, it is a popular venue of ecumenical services because both the fellow citizens and the other churches’ Christians tend to be joining in prayer. The Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral is also of vital national importance, as it is often spoken about regarding the occasions of public rejoicing and sorrow (liverpoolmetrocathedral.org.uk).
Romantic notions are likely to be imagined of life under its number of arches and a dome that is even bigger than that of the Pantheon. (A model of what could have been: Lutyens’ cathedral in Liverpool)
According to Richards, this cathedral was designed by a well-known English architect – Frederick Gibberd, who was the winner of a worldwide design competition. In 1962 the construction began and it took five years. It is important to mention that in 1853, 1933, and 1953 the earlier designs for this cathedral had been proposed, however none were completed (‘Gibberd, Sir…”)
Built in concrete with a Portland stone cladding and a roof covering, the Cathedral, according to imagesofengland.org.uk, has a circular plan and a diameter of 195 feet, and thirteen chapels are situated around its perimeter. As to the cathedral’s shape, it is conical, surmounted by a cute tower, having the truncated cone shape. In addition, the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral is supported by sixteen concrete trusses with boomerang shape, held together by 2 ring beams. Thus, one ring is at the trusses’ bends while the second is at the tops. (emporis.com)
What’s more, attached to the trusses, the flying buttresses give the building its tent-like appearance. A lantern tower, which is going up from the upper ring beam, having stained glass windows, besides, a crown of pinnacles is at its peak (Pollard and Pevsner, 357).
According to Images of England, the interior has numerous fittings and fixtures of note. The main lantern or as it is also called “corona” is filled with stained glass, created by John Piper and Patrick Reyntiens cementing along with epoxy resin as well as pre-case within the tracery of the thin concrete ribs.
Besides, the entrance is at the top of a flight of stairs that are coming up from the Hope Street. A huge wedge-shaped structure is above the entrance.
Needless to mention that this Cathedral featured a number of structural problems. First of all, built quickly and economically, this resulted in a number of problems with the fabric of the building itself, in particular leaks. So, during 1990s there was a programme of repairs carried out. Thus, the cathedral had featured mosaic tiles. Unfortunately, they have proved to be impossible to repair and as a result, they were replaced with glass-reinforced plastic, giving it a far thicker look.
Besides, in the lantern the aluminum was replaced by stainless steel. Moreover, the slate paving of the platform they replaced with the concrete flags (Pollard and Pevsner, 357).
The St. Basil’s Cathedral
Located on the famous Red Square in Moscow, Russia, the St. Basil’s Cathedral is one of the most famous Russian symbols and besides, it is an amazing part of Kremlin skyline. The church is named after Saint Basil, being also well-known as “Holy Fool” for Christ, buried on its place as this used to be the Trinity Cathedral a few years before the present building was erected. According to Moscow.info, the St. Basil’s Cathedral has its official name – “The Cathedral of the Intercession of the Virgin by the Moat”. Ordered by Ivan the Terrible, who wanted to celebrate the 1552 capture of Kazan from Mongol forces, the cathedral was completed in 1560.
It is interesting to mention that up to these days all the architectural specialists are not able to come to one conclusion regarding the governing idea of its structure. Some architects are sure that the creators of this cathedral paid homage to the Jerusalem churches; while others claim that the medieval symbol of the eight-pointed star was represented, creating 8 churches around a central ninth. (Moscow.info, St. Basil’s Cathedral)
So, the Cathedral’s original concept has been hidden beneath the layers of numerous stylistic additions along with the new churches that were added to the basic building. It should be said that when built, at first it was all white as its idea was matching the white-stone Kremlin. What’s more, at that time the onion domes used to be gold and not so multi-colored and patterned as we can see them now.
It was in the 17th century when they added a hip-roofed bell tower, and besides, both they covered the gallery and staircases with vaulted roofing. In addition, they replaced the helmeted domes with decorated the ones.
It was in 1860 during rebuilding when they painted the St. Basil’s Cathedral with a more complicated and integrated design, thus, since that time it has remained unchanged.
According to Rose, this is not a cathedral because it is a real fancy fairytale palace that seems to be made of sweets. He claims the St. Basil’s Cathedral to be the craziest national monument in the area (guardian.co.uk) According to sacred-destinations.com, the spectacular St. Basil’s Cathedral is a place of vital importance.
Today, this Cathedral is a museum. It is interesting to mention that a wooden spiral staircase was only discovered within one of its walls at the time of restoration work in the 17th. Thus, now, visitors go by this way to get to the central church, with its extraordinary, soaring tented roof and a fine 16th Century iconostasis. Besides, people walk along the narrow, winding gallery that is covered in amazing patterned paintwork. By the way, only one service a year is held here- on the Day of Intercession, which is celebrated in October.
To sum up, all of the mentioned churches are of great importance when regarding the world architecture. Of course, all of these three churches have some things in common, in particular, being a holy place and having an unusual design. Besides, they are absolutely amazing and even romantic a bit. The Church of the water in Japan, the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral and the spectacular St. Basil’s Cathedral are the places that should be definitely visited and their architectural structure shows us the history of different nations, thus, combining in one aim- the belief.
