Tag Archives: churches

The Floating Temple: How to Lift a Seven Million Pound, 112-year-old BuildingMay 17

The Floating Temple: How to Lift a Seven Million Pound, 112 year old Building history churches architecture

Something’s up in Provo, Utah and it weighs around seven million pounds. It’s the 112-year-old exterior of the Provo Tabernacle that was severely damaged in a 2010 fire but has since been saved by the LDS church so it can be converted into a temple. Engineers first gutted the damaged interior and then supported the exterior walls with special scaffolding as they dug down to create space for a two story basement, so in actuality the building hasn’t even moved. The entire structure is now on stilts some 40 feet in the air and from some angles appears to be floating above ground, such as in the first photograph above provided by Brian Hansen. Additional photos courtesy the LDS Newsroom.

The Thorncrown Chapel, an Idyllic Glass Chapel in Rural Arkansas is Under ThreatMay 7

The Thorncrown Chapel, an Idyllic Glass Chapel in Rural Arkansas is Under Threat environment churches Arkansas architecture

The Thorncrown Chapel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas is considered one of the crowning examples of organic architecture, a philosophy credited to Frank Lloyd Wright that promotes a harmony between the natural world and human habitation. The non-denominational chapel was designed in 1980 by an apprentice of Wright’s, architect E. Fay Jones, who employed the use of steel and glass to create a weightless, almost translucent structure that offers sweeping views in all directions of the surrounding Ozark habitat. In keeping with the organic design of the chapel Fay asked that no construction element be larger than what two people could carry through the woods by hand.

Recently a power company has applied to build a 48-mile high voltage transmission line through Northwest Arkansas that will cut through the woods right next to the chapel, shattering the views and serenity offered by the extremely unique building that was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000. For those interested, the Arkansas Public Service Commission is accepting comments from the public regarding the proposed power line construction. You can also read much more over on Hyperallergic.

The Minister’s Treehouse: A 100ft Tall Church Built Over 11 Years without BlueprintsJune 13

The Ministers Treehouse: A 100ft Tall Church Built Over 11 Years without Blueprints wood trees treehouses churches architecture

The Minister’s Treehouse in Crossville, Tennessee is a 100ft structure built by minister Horace Burgess from the early 1990s through 2004. The entire building wraps around a giant tree and was built completely without blueprints, sprawling to an estimated 10,000 square feet inside, including a four-story swing set. Photographer Kristin Sweeting took a recent trip to the treehouse and took many of the photos above. You can also see more images by Chuck Sutherland who provided the image on top.

St. Joseph’s Church, Le HavreAugust 26

Welome to the mothership. Actually, welcome to St. Joseph’s Church in Le Havre, France. Built from 1951-58 this Roman Catholic church built in a Neo-Gothic style acts as a memorial to the 5,000 civilians from the city who died during World War II. The sombre cement steeple rises over 350 feet and when photographed from the inside results in some pretty striking imagery that looks like it belongs on the set of Aliens or in Terry Gilliam’s Brazil. Many more photos here. (photos courtesy eole wind, olivier, pa_le, cyril, sebastien ferrand)