Unitarian Meeting House

Unitarian Meeting House

Lawrence Technological University

February 3, 2015

Wright, Frank Lloyd

O’Connor, Thomas (photograph)

American

Single Built Works

July, 1963

Wisconsin (state)

Madison (inhabited place)

Modern (styles and periods)

churches (buildings)

interior views

fireplaces

Detail view of large fireplace in the hearth room at the Unitarian Meeting House in Madison, Wisconsin designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and completed in 1951. "The manner in which the stone is set at grade, providing a base for the building, integrates the church with its gently sloping site. The stone is laid to approximate the natural layering of the stone in the quarry, a gesture consistent with Wright’s organic intent. The scale of the building is relatively small, and aside from the soaring prow the church appears deeply settled in the ground ... The distinctive roof rising to a height of nearly forty feet above the central gathering space, or Auditorium, is sheathed in seamed copper and is “composed of origami-like folded copper clad planes.” The projecting ribs run horizontally across the roof rather than vertically, except where they follow the 60-degree angle of the gable over the prow, and serve a decorative rather than functional purpose,"--National Register of Historic Places. "The HEARTH ROOM [4] is defined by a lowered ceiling at the rear of the Auditorium. The massive stone fireplace is both functional and symbolic. it provides an intimate setting for small gatherings or after-service socializing. One wall of glass opens a view to the outdoors; another has a serving counter that opens to a kitchen. A domed ceiling area displays names of prominent Unitarians,"--First Unitarian Society website.

stonemasonry

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LTU-TO-262