donderdag 17 september 2015

Temple

After the Royal interval yesterday, I continue with the Open Monuments Day. This flying-saucer-like building was built in 1926 as a theosophical temple. Theosophy is a worldview that seeks to combine religion philosophy and science. The fan-shaped building with a green copper roof was constructed with reinforced concrete and steel.

Daylight comes in through the narrow tail steel-framed windows encased in concrete posts in the semi-circular temple hall.

 The building was used as a cinema named Cinetol. Since 1985, the temple hall has housed a branch of the Public Library of Amsterdam.

The study areas.

The architect L.C. van der Vlugt was an adept of  functionalist architecture, in Holland known as "Nieuwe Bouwen".


12 opmerkingen:

  1. Yes.. it does look like a flying saucer. I always though religion and science were in conflict with each other.

    BeantwoordenVerwijderen
  2. Another very impressive architectural structure!

    BeantwoordenVerwijderen
  3. I particularly like the interior shots.

    BeantwoordenVerwijderen
  4. This is the first I've heard of this notion. A very modern design!

    BeantwoordenVerwijderen
  5. Very unusual, and I had never heard of this temple/sect. Kind of reminds me of Scientology, although I am not an authority on either.

    BeantwoordenVerwijderen
  6. It is very impressive. Very modern for 1926 I would think. I'm not sure I would get any studying done at those windows!

    BeantwoordenVerwijderen
  7. I'm going to have to check out theosophy. I don't think I've heard of it or if I did hear about it it's one of those things I didn't understand so I forgot it.

    BeantwoordenVerwijderen
  8. I think the architecture absolutely epitomises the theme of Philosophy and Science Marianne. It certainly has had many otherwise uses since it was built in 1926 :)

    BeantwoordenVerwijderen
  9. I think the architecture absolutely epitomises the theme of Philosophy and Science Marianne. It certainly has had many otherwise uses since it was built in 1926 :)

    BeantwoordenVerwijderen
  10. Amazing that it was built so long ago. Very nice.

    BeantwoordenVerwijderen
  11. Wonderful architecture, amazing that is has had so many uses.

    BeantwoordenVerwijderen