an architecture called home
an architecture called home
...a shelter for all seasons
S K Y S C R A P E R S
windows to the world
unimaginable heights
fascinating buildings
mirrors of the world
anchored deep into the earth
jutting parallels heaven ward
towering structures of radiant steel
skins of wood brick stone metal glass
veneers of every shape of rainbow colors
geometric tapestries mimicking nature
absorbing reflecting the sunlight
diffused on the facades of nearby buildings
an imagery of a faux city within a city
more more and alas... some more
taller than the tallest outspokened the last one
clusters stand alones blending competing contextual organic
sun powered a lifestyle magical
a far cry from the cave dwellings
God gave the breath of life to man... Genesis said
squinted
man took shelter along the seashore cliffs
under the canopies of a dense lush jungle
took comfort inside a dark cave
high in the mountains
at the foothills along the rivers
multiply the scripture said
he fashioned arts caressed made love
a refuge man made good
meditated in solitude
in full lotus mudra on the ledges
ventured out under the burning sun
settling outside far far and yet far
into meadows unknown naked frontiers
spreading out further than the furthest
socialized far more than antagonized
ages ago
from cave arts to major art galleries worldwide today
time has cast an abundance of mediums enhancing creativity in art and architecture
changes from a backdrop of new materials to create and build
advanced building technology avant– garde art techniques
building designs and motifs made precedents throughout history
a nourishing sight of the new of the beautiful revisited
graffiti like neons rich in colors
like a symphonic Beethoven notes
with a back beat of shades and shadows of jazz moonlight mysticism soothing
tranquil
filling the intersticial spaces in his soul
powerful simple lines graceful scrolling golden ratio of the all
a renaissance harmony between human proportions and buildings
among the great cities in the world
heralding the signature art of the time the architectural styles of the time
the seven lamps of the time
environmental cultural religious social political economic
engineering and sciences
imperial colonial classical iconic backgrounds
the places ideas man had roamed explored experimented
steeped in social interactions tolerances
unrests war and peace
sentiments and compassions virtues and truths
nurtured the modernization of today’s
built environment an architecture
of determined survival traits
a patterned language of strength function aesthetics
a generational statement of resolve
“our art our beauty our power our
legacy” echoed world wide
reverberating the anthem of a muted frozen music
of the architecture of the time
ages on
man’s can do spirit practical inherent critical intellectual
from his first stone and mud primitive burial construct to mastabahs
to the flamboyant palaces of his dead
to the vibrant buildings that have stood
the test of time... he built and rebuilt
notwithstanding the babel towers
emerged the strength function the form
lifestyle habitations aged sustained
the artisan artistry and ornaments
from deep underground chambers
of cities of bustling commuters
ear splitting screeches of trains
to hushed dark and forbidding dungeons
to ecclesiastical heights of hopes
cathedrals of worship and faith
to hymns of love of sunlight joyous permeating through the accepting
rose windows and stained glasses
to grandest colors of their expansive interiors
spaces spartan minimal in some cultures
to intoxicating rococo ornaments in others
in the four cardinal points of the world
where the wind blows the sun shines
man seeks a place to be
where he stages his dream his world
dawn to dusk
in a community he supports
in an environment that feeds him
his birth place earth rediscovered
with gratitude to respect and to protect
a way of life sustain with embedded comfort
a security for his family’s well being for his community
a world landscape of beauty and peace
a cave dwelling re-envisioned simple life refuge
an architecture he can call a home
a shelter for all seasons
***
(c)NDR09.24. 2022
Photo:dreamstime.com online
Early stone cave dwellings in Matera, Southern Italy
general development of buildings through the ages, from cave dwellings to skyscrapers, the architecture of bricks and mortar-a record of history, of human lives and custom
