Chapel of St. Basil

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One of Philip Johnson’s last designs was the Chapel of St. Basil, on the campus of the University of St. Thomas, in Houston.  The Chapel its composed of three basic geometric shapes: a cube, plane and sphere.  Johnson’s postmodern style contradicts with the red brick style of the rest of the campus.  The inside of the chapel has no artificial light, and relies on sunlight during the day and candles at night.  The ceiling has a feeling of openness to depict a pathway to Heaven.  The Chapel is opposite the the library on the academic mall, to symbolize dialogue between faith and reason.

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