Situated near the northern edge of Paynes Prairie, the Seraphim
Situated near the northern edge of Paynes Prairie, the Seraphim
In acknowledging this mystical state, one realizes that the site is magically drawing the presence of Seraphim, Guardian and Archangels and in doing so provides them the opportunity to influence the Site Plan design.
As a collective source of energy, the Site Plan transforms each architectural element into a designated beam of light that radiates beyond the limits of the site, generating a totally new original image of architecture that is unseen before.
This action marks a direct connection between heaven and earth, or even the notion of two lovers embracing one another.
Once leaving the parking
area, the Center has two points of arrival for the visitor, an entry ramp on the north and
stair on the south. The ramp propels the
visitor through a walled entry gate to a bridge that aligns perpendicular to the main
highway and is used to organize the composition by extending the full length of the
design. Abstract in nature, the bridge
formulates the idea of ‘spiritual journey’ as the traveler moves from a physical
to metaphysical experience. In reaching the
bridge the visitor may choose to engage the lookout, or to enter the observatory (office)
or the adjacent open-heart gallery + shop. From
here the composition acknowledges the physical world and is where the journey begins
leading the visitor on a continuous experience across the site as the architecture unfolds
towards the metaphysical.
The next set of buildings is “the 4 Lessons” (classrooms), with each building providing a dramatic view of the Secret Garden with its enchanted landscape and wonderful memories of past and present held within the piano shaped wall.
Positioned at midpoint within the design the major programmatic element is the Moon + Sun Chapel that is distinguished by overlaying a square into a circular Floor Plan and volumetrically provides a formal space. As an object it is apparent that there are no solid walls, only transparent glass walls allowing the environment and chapel to become one. This also reinforces the notion that there is no front or sides or rear, that the space is omni present. At the center of the space, a cruciform skylight fills the building with heavenly (Moon + Sun + Star) light. Adjacent to the Chapel are the Restrooms, which appear as fabricated crisp elegant square container/forms.
Finally arriving at the end of the journey and sited perpendicular to the major design axis, the Healing Arts Studios & Tower for Prayer complete the sequence of built structures as each facing south with views of the longitudinal axis of the oak hammock site. The Tower for Prayer is the seventh element in the Studio components. Here is where the minister resides, a Studio as a Tower that is reaching towards the heavens and has caught some stars and at that moment of contact, the stars fell to earth lying in selected patterns about the site. These found objects provide the visitor a place for prayer, meditation, chanting, and singing or just to be in the silence enjoying the surrounding environment. In addition, two intersecting solstice lines, spring/fall and summer/winter bisect the overall Site Plan marking the alignment of the associated constellations. These elements are fundamentally viewed as trajectories across the landscape and are identified by either a sweeping diagonal line articulated by a wall or solid ribbon line on the ground.
In referring to the Seraphim Angels, the idea is to provide an opportunity for an artist to insert into the design abstract sculptural figures that become icons and the tallest manmade element on-site. The intent is to locate one at each end of the bridge axis within the forest and one adjacent to the chapel within its circular band. The sculpture would be designed in such a way that as a summer breeze blows across the site and through the angels, each would begin to resonate, creating musical sounds similar to tubular bells.
The Seraphim Center Site Plan clearly takes its cue that light is life and in doing so the architecture becomes a true expression of its time. This design offers an opportunity to either construct its entirety in a single stroke or to progressively construct element by element, a sort of building upon itself.
The choice is yours on which to act …
Reverend James Hanis, Architect,