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started with a Man. Cantilevered from a cliff over a restless ocean, waves crashing
against the rocks below, protected only by transparent sheets of glass and steel in
tension -- he looks out at the greatness of a city. He feels the greatness within himself
and the freedom of his spirit. He has conquered his fear through the power of reason. His
is the laughter of triumph, of courage, of liberation. The Temple draws its inspiration from the
laughter of Howard Roark. The Temple's structural system is inspired by Santiago
Calatrava's Sevilla Bridge.
The Temple is
organized in three levels. The progression begins with spatial intimacy and protection at
the top entry level by surrounding the visitor with massive structure and the solidity of
the cliff. At each level transition one is led back toward the cliff by a flight of
stairs. In descending the stairs. the scale becomes intimate and secure. This scale
modulation enhances the temple space and sculpture when one turns around, and dramatizes
the view of the city. This spatial intimacy is then transformed to one of spatial release
as the visitor walks through the Temple. The structure and protection recede away to leave
the visitor alone with nature and the city at the final climax of the Temple; a place
where fear and gravity are conquered through reason and purpose.
Due to the necessity
of hiring a structural engineer and contractor, the cost estimate has not been provided in
this proposal. I am confident, however, that the Temple can be executed in a very
cost-effective way through the use of simple yet durable detailing with concrete and steel
cables as the primary materials. If the San Francisco site is chosen, the temple will no
longer be enclosed because of the mild climate, further reducing the construction costs.
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