Solanus Casey Center - Meditation Garden
Located in Detroit at Mt. Elliot and Kercheval, the Meditation Garden is a discussion between traditional religious elements, nature and the physical building of the center.
CLIENT: SOLANUS CASEY CENTERARCHITECT AND DESIGNER: HATHORNECIVIL AND LANDSCAPE ENGINEERING: PEA GROUPSTRUCTURAL ENGINEER: SDIMEP ENGINEERING: PETER BASSOGENERAL CONTRACTOR: A M HIGLEYPHOTOGRAPHY: JIM HAEFNER
canopy creates protection for votive candles as well as horizontal orientation for the entry to the center. the generous horizontal implied entry signifies an informal and welcoming entry as opposed to vertical entries which imply formality and exclusivity. an eighteen ton basalt boulder supports canopy and integrates the garden with building.
birch trees in a crushed white marble bed recall sandy beaches of northern michigan.
votive niche and stations of the cross artwork by Deborah Luke
stations of the cross (below) are arranged along a meandering path in lieu of a traditional linear arrangement. this creates a unique space for each station and allows the user to reset after each viewing thus placing more emphasis on each station.
