Enter Through The Form

Background Information

Authors Meryl Meisler & Francine LaPorte

Photography & Video Meryl Meisler

The architecture and landscape design of any given society express their world view, cultural beliefs, system of values, and way of life, i.e. nomadic or stationary, hierarchical or egalitarian. Moreover, these designs conform to or make maximum usage of specific geographical features. These may include mountainous terrain, large open plains or savannas, water or the lack thereof. Climatic conditions also play a role in the design and construction of buildings and landscapes. In addition, the building materials often directly reflect the most abundant natural resources available, such as timber construction in forested regions, and mud and wattle or adobe in treeless areas.

It is for these reasons that the Pueblo Indians of Taos in northern New Mexico carried out their design. The building conforms to the contours and orientation of their sacred mountain in the distance. They have recreated a sacred space to inhabit in the here and now. Their notion of living in harmony with nature is demonstrated by the design itself, which looks like similar geographical features nestled in the earth. It does not compete or conflict with the natural surroundings. The adobe material mirrors the color of the landscape.

Adobe with sacred mountain in distance Taos, New Mexico   courtesy of: http://uwf.edu/coehelp/tcomm98/rstevens/part3.htm#Earthships

Another example of belief systems influencing architecture is the Gothic Cathedral of 12th-14th century Europe when the engineering prowess of the vaulted arch and the flying buttress enabled builders to construct towers reaching for the celestial vault of heaven. Thus, they expressed their central religious beliefs, which placed God and Paradise in the sky above them. Devotion to their God motivated them to create great works of art in these structures. The stained glass windows may be viewed as portals through which the celestial light might enter the mundane world, thus illuminating and enlightening all humans who entered. One entered a cathedral through massive doors and portals, richly decorated with sculptures depicting biblical scenes and prophets. These were designed to teach the illiterate folk their bible stories and to create a distinction between the profane world outside and the sacred world inside. The threshold marked the frontier between the two worlds.