Louis Kahn’s work here enters the world of religion. In a Unitarian faith one often looks to multiple religious practices, beliefs, and traditions along with scientific knowledge and understanding.
»Focus of service: celebrating life itself
»Holds sermons, prayers, hymns, and songs
»Draws belief from scripture, science, nature, philosophy, personal experience, and ancient tradition
It is suggested that these multiple voices of truth intersect and strengthen each other. Contrary to common spiritual spaces that direct the visitor to a central light, to a central and single belief, to an answer, this design is unafraid to unveil life’s mystery as just that, a mystery.
“I’m not sure” it tells us, “but maybe if we all come together with our various ideas, we can search for the answers together”. This concept is clearly stated in Kahn’s design as he cleverly placed four (rather than one central) light towers to illuminate the sanctuary space, and offered the visitor three possible entrances into this inner space.
