Out of Context Sometimes Good

Architects are lauded for architectural context. Homeowners appreciate homes that are designed in context with their neighborhood. In some neighborhoods like Munger Place, the horizontal Prairie Style lines of one house visibly flows right into the house right next to it, with only the details of each house breaking the architectural monotony. In other neighborhoods like Turtle Creek Park, the 33 houses in the neighborhood are built in many styles over six decades. Here the architecture of each specific home fits together like a jigsaw puzzle on the curving streets of the neighborhood. We all know examples of disastrous houses that are an architectural blight on a neighborhood in part because they are out of context, but sometimes out of context is good. What a surprise to come upon the 1953 Bahai Temple in Wilmette, the old prestigious northern suburb of Chicago. This House of Worship could not be more out of context. There are only 9 Bahai temples in the world. How did the only one in North America end up in Wilmette, Illinois, comprised of elegant early 20th century homes. Wilmette is not known to be demographically comprised of those of the Bahai faith. The architecture of the Wilmette homes is predominantly Prairie Style and early Chicago, while the Bahai House of Worship has its architectural roots in the Middle East. It stands out close to Chicago, a city of skyscrapers, Oak Park home to Frank Lloyd Wright, and the Modernism in the region. This multi-faith based temple meticulously constructed over decades is a delightful architectural discovery and surprise. The key is that it is on enough land to not violently interrupt the continuity of the early suburban homes surrounding it. Instead, it allows one a chance to pause and focus on this remarkable structure proudly sitting on a hill welcoming all visitors, sightseers and worshipers. Rather than being a point of derision, it becomes a point of pride for the Wilmette community.
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#Art #Design #Contemporary #Surprise