Peaceful Sunset at the Temple Grounds

The site was very quiet this evening.

Blooming doesn't make much noise.

Most of the workmen had left.

Security guards stood at their stations.

I took my yellow ladder.

When I peeked over the wall, the pavilion looked right back.

There are now stairs on the west side.

Geofoam is being placed for stairs at the north entrance.

Most of the north lot is filled with walkways, not stairs.

Work continued this week for the base of the walkway along University Avenue.  This black stuff looks like asphalt but has no smell at all.

Eventually the base will creep south.

It has a long way to go.

I was interested in seeing the south lot tonight.

The construction cam showed rebar.

We haven't seen rebar for awhile.

Squeaking caught my attention.

These two men were cutting geofoam. This has likely been going on in front of my camera for over a year, but the site is so noisy I haven't heard it before.

It was easy to hear tonight.  Geofoam being cut sounds like an old tricycle.

The stash on the right is their remnant pile.

I saw something interesting at the driveway.

Goliath will be allowed, but not Godzilla.

Do we appreciate all the work which has made this tranquil scene possible?

One year ago it was pretty crazy. 

Tonight = zen. 

Zen with rebar.

Generally, construction zones aren't peaceful.

Eventually, however, the temple grounds will be very peaceful, even downtown.

I can't wait.

Architecture, Provo and Two Temples

Not even complete, the temple is still stunning.

I can't say enough about the new steeple.

I made an effort to line a few things up this morning.

Some of you have been concerned that the pavilion isn't square with the temple, but it is.

The problem has been getting to the exact spot on Second South.

The concrete pump visited the south lot several times this week.  He'll make more trips next week, too.  Ultimately the parking area will be concrete.

I asked a workman about the progress on the south lot, and with a straight face he said it was almost done.
I know that look.

My kids used it when I asked how their rooms were coming along. 

When we step back, progress is easy to see.  Yuki Dorff took four pictures yesterday.  Brian Olson stitched them together for us. 

Men uncovered this corner as I passed by this morning.

I like all the straight lines.

With the chain link fence gone from the post office lot, I could reach up for a new view.

This man has the best view whether he looks inside or out.

The east side has been adorned with a second story deck.  There won't be an elevator, but a lift can reach up.

Machines were preparing the ground for the east side walkway.

It will connect to the new sidewalk at Center Street.

The walk will continue all the way to Second South.

I've been looking at historic homes again in Provo.  The Sutton home was built in 1897.  Several elements of this home are similar to the new temple.  On the right you can see a projected gable bay, a phrase I have just learned.  

Our temple has four projected gable bays.

Notice the transom window above the door.  Windows in the front wall have stone lintels.  Lintels bear weight, unlike transoms, which are only beautiful.

The historical write-up of this home describes a gablet above the porch.  This architectural feature is different than a dormer window.

It's also quite different from our gablets. 

The Bailey house, built in 1906, is not Victorian.  However, it has a crosswing plan  which was also part of the tabernacle design. Notice the graceful arches over the windows.  The style of the porch is Greek Revival, which became popular at the turn of the century.

The Craner House, also built in 1906, has a stone foundation, similar to the original foundation of the  tabernacle.  You might notice several stone foundations in these pictures.

Notice the arches over these windows.  The second story arch is rounder; the first floor arch is flatter.

The temple has this same pattern of differing arches.  The pointed arch over the upper window is Victorian-gothic.  The stone transom over the lower window is an architectural design which compensates for the fact that the tabernacle was originally one large meeting room.  The floor for the second level begins at that transom,

The George Meldrum House was constructed in 1891.  The pitch of the roof is a feature of Victorian architecture, as is the gingerbread on the gables.

The temple doesn't have gingerbread, which is actually called scroll-cut barge board, but it does have beautiful brick dentils underneath the eaves.

These windows have a Federal-style design, which was popular during the 19th century.

John Meldrum, the father of George Meldrum, constructed this home in 1877.  This house was built before the popularity of Victorian architecture and is an excellent example of the Federal style.

Federal style elements include the small door gable and transom window.

Architecture, similar to styles in clothing or hair, can date a structure.

However, a flower's design is never out of style.

The George Twelves house, built in 1906, is Romanesque, with a Revival-style gable and even buttresses.  The rounded arches in these windows are not Victorian at all.

In the mid-20th century, Frank Lloyd Wright created a new style of American architecture which has its own look.

He designed this home in Pennsylvania.  Notice the clean lines; you could say sleek.

The intent of this style of architecture is to give the appearance of a floating building, even though the structure, in this case a library in California, was actually very functional.

This is known as Mid-century architecture.  The city of Glendale found the new look modern and appealing for their municipal building.

Architects throughout the world copied Frank Lloyd Wright's style.  This office building in Michigan was designed by a Japanese architect.

The architect for the JFK terminal embraced the floating look.

Avery Fisher Hall in New York City is an excellent example of Mid-century architecture.

Another great example of this floating architecture is the Los Angeles Music Center.

The Provo Temple is a beautiful example of Mid-century architecture.

By the late 1960s, Provo residents were crowding the Manti Temple.  David O. McKay charged LDS Church architect Emil Fetzer with designing an economical and functional temple for Provo.

Brother Fetzer recalled that when he presented his rendering to the First Presidency, there were audible gasps.  Someone asked President McKay if the design offended him.  Deathly silence followed.  After a few moments, the prophet replied, "No, I like it very much."  

Brother Fetzer knew at that point that he was on the side of the majority.

This is not an example of floating architecture.

Many beautiful architectural features are part of the new temple.

Too many to count.