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Paul Rudolph & His Architecture

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Chapel, Tuskegee Institute, Tuskegee AL, 1958-1969

The chapel was constructed between 1967 and 1969.

‘When working on the Tuskegee Chapel, I suggested a continuous slot of glass around the perimeter just below the roof, so the natural light enters the sanctuary diagonally. The roof is hyperbolic paraboloid in form for acoustic reasons, and the space rises diagonally and escapes through glass. The directions of the movement of space are in opposite but balanced directions, which is largely responsible for the dynamic quality of the space. In addition, there is a varying velocity of the movement of space. The floor is almost level, but the ceiling height above the floor constantly changes, so that the space moves rapidly where the ceiling is high but more slowly where the ceiling is low. All of this must be imagined, so that there is a balance between opposite movements of space and light.”

Interview with Peter Blake included in ‘Paul Rudolph: The Late Work.” 2003.

Design drawing for stained glass window “The Singing Window” Tuskegee Institute Chapel
East elevation. Rendering
Ground Floor plan. Rendering
Longitudinal section. Rendering
Main Floor plan with exterior details. Rendering
Main Floor plan. Rendering
North elevation. Rendering
Roof and reflected ceiling plan. Rendering
Section looking south. Rendering
Section looking west. Rendering
South elevation. Rendering
West elevation. Rendering
Tuskegee Institute. Interdenominational Chapel.


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