the narrative time confluence that we frame our world and our lives around is simply a fabrication.

the concept of flow is interesting in it’s relationship to this reflection – that we are part of this flow, the vast confluence of an infinite number of occurrences, all interwoven – like an unfathomable cosmic river that we are dropped  into, in our present moment, and if we could simply swim upstream or leap downstream, we’d still be in that flow, just in a different place.

is that why those structures that manifest layers of imprints become magnetic to so many of us? why thousands or millions continue to be drawn to those places  - generation after generation?  is that where we can see this flow and sense the echo of those events that occur upstream or downstream? is that why we want to create that physical imprint – so that we can re-discover it, generations later? i wonder..

in spain, there are many structures (more than a century ago) created with only considerations of natural light

created in relationship to cycles of day to night, season to season, and the interplay of light with materiality

places for meditation, prayer, contemplation, retreat, and community congregation have light imbedded into their structures

transformational it is, to be considering the natural and ever-changing source of light, the form that will be sculpted from that light, and the surfaces to be illuminated

how memorable to the eye, and to the deeper experience of those who are held within?

in the richness of colors, textures and curving forms

the intricate details of carved wood, cut tile, plaster stalactites

from the spirit of the people – the flamenco moves

children parading in costume, ascending angels

dreamscapes of vibrant hues and waves of structure

from gaudi in barcelona

to the alhambra in granada

the ecstasy of being alive

into the essence of architecture

the architecture speaks of silence

a shelter from the noise of life

for quiet reflection

for living in the silence of being

still

standing still in time for more than 50 years..

capturing light, sheltering shade,

soaring over the landscape

all grace and beauty

tramway gas station (enco) by albert frey, 1965 - palm springs

tramway gas station (enco), 1965, by albert frey - palm springs

tramway gas station (enco) 1965, albert frey - palm springs

tramway gas station (enco) 1965, robert frey - palm springs

tramway gas station (enco) by albert frey, 1965 - palm springs

palm springs modern - estate home 1

palm springs modern - estate home 2

palm springs modern - desert home 1

palm springs modern - desert home 2

palm springs modern - desert home 3

palm springs modern - estate home 3

palm springs modern - estate home 4

palm springs modern desert home 4

palm springs modern - estate home 5

palm springs modern - estate home 6

kaufmann house 1946, richard neutra - palm springs

visitor center - tramway gas station

evening shadow in the alhambra gardens – granada, spain

in spain, for thousands of years, architecture has been infused with the essence of human spirit

human form, and the spirit of imagination have inspired the creation of powerful structures

for centuries the benedictine monastery of montserrat developed around the legend of the black virgin – now a place of pilgrimage for millions

elaborate courtyards, passageways, plazas, and intricately detailed structures inspire the continual flow of seekers

ribbed vaults of the monastery of montserrat

angel gracing the entrance to the shrine at montserrat - spain

scripts, hands, ribs, angels, saints, spirits – all deeply embedded into the form, the essence of buildings, in every detail

spirits that have passed become part of the walls

spirits carved out of the same materials of the structure – radiant and alive – polished skin and stone made fluid into wings and robes

spirits emerging out of the structure – in the arches, window frames, and columns – growing out of the stone and earth

gaudi's park guell - barcelona, spain

human spirits are lifted from the ground, through the columns, to the arches and domes – upward into the light

central dome of the sagrada familia - spain

a striking reminder of how architecture can be a powerful embodiment of the spirit – how it can be the soul of the people who create it, or of those who are held within

tortosa cathedral - spain

or the spirit of those who have passed through

or the spirit of those who surround it, or the community that is sheltered or inspired by it’s presence

granada cathedral - spain

or the eyes looking toward what cannot be seen

santa maria del mar - barcelona, spain

windows into the past and future

or the realization of collective dreams

shadow at the alhambra gate - granada, spain

or places to find your own shadow, in the dreams of a thousand years past.

cardona castle - spain

architecture grows out of the earth in spain. stones cut of the place, anchored and sited as extended forms of nature. architects were listening to the earth for thousands of years.

evidence of this is everywhere – structures are part of the landscape, some only remnants, others cared for over centuries retain their energy inspired by nature.

cut into the edges of serrated mountains, extending skyward from the hilltops, terraced in topographic lines.

montserrat - near barcelona, spain

are the mountains carved by hand, or the buildings wrought by mountains?

made by nature, or man – seamless.

generalife gardens - the alhambra, granada - spain

generalife gardens - the alhambra, granada - spain

gaudi's sagrada familia - barcelona, spain

gaudi's sagrada familia - barcelona, spain

are the forests buildings, or the buildings forests?

barcelona cathedral - spain

are the trees columns or the columns trees?

olive tree - delta de l'ebre - tortosa, spain

blurring the divide between nature and man, dissolving into nothingness..

olive orchards - castilla - la mancha, spain

in spain, the architecture is earth, earth is architecture.

castillo de chinchón - spain

walls of alcazaba, malaga - spain

gaudi's park guell - barcelona, spain

here, architecture inspired by nature holds power that transcends lifetimes, cultures, civilizations and centuries. nature may be the best teacher of architecture, if we chose to listen.

kilauea lighthouse #1 - kauai, hawaii

out on kilauea point, atop the rolling green bluffs of northern kauai, the kilauea lighthouse still stands, as it has for nearly 100 years.

kilauea point - kauai, hawaii

anchored in quiet grace against the lashing winds, standing serene above the rocky black cliffs and crashing waves below.

kilauea lighthouse bluff - kauai

home to thousands of migratory seabirds nesting at kīlauea point national wildlife refuge, hypnotic to watch as they soar and dive along the cliffs above the surf.  laysan albatrosses, red-footed boobies, brown boobies, red-tailed and white-tailed tropicbirds, great frigatebirds, and wedge-tailed shearwaters all visit the refuge.

kilauea lighthouse #2 - kauai

atop the lighthouse, the historic fresnel lens is still held in a glass enclosure on the sturdy white concrete tower of 52 feet, streaked with rust from the iron roof and casings.

kilauea lighthouse lantern room - kauai

some notes on the lens, excerpted from information posted inside the lighthouse:

fresnel lens - kilauea lighthouse, kauai

the four ton fresnel lens is the largest clamshell lens in the world, 300 hand ground glass lenses and prisms, made by french craftsmen in 1912.  the prism design of the lens created a double flash every ten seconds.

the lighthouse’s 2,500,000 candlepower beam could be seen 20 miles by sea and over 90 miles by air on a clear night. the light was retired in 1976, replaced by the automatic beacon.

kilauea lighthouse #3 - kauai

the white concrete pillar glows as the sun sinks to the west, coming alive in the darkening sky.

kilauea lighthouse #4 - kauai

it is a continual quest, exploring these beacons of light, made with skill, innovation and craft, kept with great care through the passing of days into nights.  the perpetual beam of light, striking a path through darkness, anchored in the storm, piercing through the mists, constant in winds, striking straight into lightning.. holding steady, serene, shining in all.

streaming light

is seen

in the reflections

of what has come

before

historic photo – cape florida lighthouse, miami – key biscayne

in planning my first visit to miami, exploring the architectural heritage of south beach – morris lapidus’ fountainebleau, the streamline moderne art deco lined ocean drive, and a launching point to the everglades and onward to the southern tip of the country, key west.

on the lookout for old structures, and lighthouses – i found both here – the oldest structure in miami-dade county.

the original lighthouse and cottage, built in 1825, were attacked and burned in 1836 by Seminole warriors protesting U.S. presence in the South Florida wilderness and resisting deportation from Florida to the West.

When the lighthouse was rebuilt in 1855-1856, it was extended from 65 feet to its present 95 feet in height, and wooden stairs were replaced with 119 spiraling iron steps to the top.

the first day i’d arrived too late.. the door, locked. i came back the next day, to climb

119 steps

upward, the curving rhythm of steps, bolts, spiraling – hypnotic

reaching the top platform, a door opens out to the sea

reconnecting to the brilliant sun, splintering light-shards over the water

then one last climb, up to the housing of the beacon – original fresnel lens now replaced

from here, the glass is etched with salted air, the ocean, shrouded in this veil

i wonder of the mysteries of all that has passed here before, seen and guided, held within the walls, shone out to the world

on this year-end, i wonder what will come out of the mist, in light