Thank you for downloading this episode of our podcast.
Hi and welcome to the podcast for Solomon staircase.
Masonic lodge, number 357, where we talk about all things related
with Freemasonry including hermetic teachings.
Philosophy reason spirituality and much more we're located in
Buena Park. Southern California, tuned in as
we continue to update our podcast with informative talks
and articles for Mason's worldwide.
And those who would like to inquire within What does the
study of architecture? Teach us by?
David are Doan Deputy Grandmaster and of course this
is from 2004. He is now a past Grand Master.
Masonry uses symbols and allegories to remind us of the
lessons taught by our individual faves architecture traces, its
roots to the study of nature and the observation of her beautiful
proportions that led man to study symmetry in order this
enabled man to imitate God's divine plan and build great
structures. Thus the art of architecture was
born The tools and Implements of architecture.
Most expressive were selected by our craft to impress upon the
memory of each of us. Why isn't serious truth?
So that down Through the Ages man, will remember the important
tenets of our craft, the study of architecture teaches us that
man uses his own experience and the knowledge of God's divine
plan to learn how to change to meet the needs of his time.
In the beginning, man, used wood and mud to build shelters over
time by studying the art of architecture and with the
experience of time, And learn to use, stronger materials, from
the Earth, from wood and mud. He learned to use wood and
stone. Then refined minerals from the
Earth to make iron and then steel to build even stronger and
taller buildings. Today's largest building, still
follow the rules of architecture.
That imagery imitate the Symmetry and Order of God's
divine plan. Had man, not learned from his
experiences and adjusted to the needs and improve the tools of
his time. We would still be living in mud
huts. Not all of the man's changes
have worked, but those that truly follow this imagery in
order of the divine plan, have advanced architecture and
improved, our lives. This is an important lesson of
architecture that is often. Overlooked change, is not only
good. It is necessary.
You are Grand Lodge leadership. Team is tackling the challenge
of making changes. That will allow our fraternity
to adapt to the times in which we live while maintaining the
Symmetry in order that is at the heart of what we as Mason's.
Hold dear. We must not focus on how we have
done things. But rather why we do things and
what principle it supports the Symmetry and Order of our
fraternity is evident in the lessons, we teach and in how a
man lives his life as a Mason instead of depending on our
candidates to memorize a few lines from each degree, we need
to improve the way in which we teach our members, the meaning
of the symbols and allegories of The Craft.
It is not how we were made a Mason that matters.
But rather how well we live our lives as Mason's it is by the
amiable discreet and virtuous conduct has Masons That we teach
the world, the goodness of our great fraternity by changing to
meet the needs of our times, while maintaining the Symmetry
and Order of our craft, we demonstrate that we understand
the lessons. Architecture teaches us about
God's divine plan. Cornerstone ceremonies carrying
on a masonic tradition by Richard Berman, friends and
Brethren is been a custom among the fraternity of free and
accepted Mason's from time immemorial to assemble for the
purpose of laying the foundation stones of certain buildings.
One requested to do so by those having Authority.
With these words, Grandmaster, Howard D Kirkpatrick commence,
the solemn Masonic Cornerstone ceremony for Temple.
High School in Vista, California hosted by Vista lodge number 687
the January. 31st event was an opportunity for local Freemasons
to celebrate the construction of a new school in their Community
located, 40 miles, north of San Diego.
Four members of The Craft. These dedication ceremonies, not
only promote our freedoms. But they also remind us that all
enduring things, buildings, and people alike must be built on a
firm foundation. The tradition of Mason's laying
cornerstones for American public institutions is nearly as old as
the Republic itself. This is hardly surprising.
As many of the early leaders of the United States were members
of The Craft in 1791, a team of surveyors used a masonic
Cornerstone to help, Mark the borders of the new city of
Washington, d.c. And the following Year, brother
Peter casanov, a of large number 9 of Maryland, led a Cornerstone
ceremony to Mark, the start of construction of the president's
house known today as the White House on September 18, 1793
former President, George Washington was present at the
ceremony honoring. The building of the US Capitol.
The grand Affair was attended by hundreds of Mason's and created
a strong symbolic link between the craft and the Democratic
institutions of the new American Nation.
There have been four other Cornerstone ceremonies to
celebrate expansion of the original building and in 1993,
more than 350 Mason's gathered in Washington, to celebrate the
capitals Bicentennial. The first Cornerstone ceremony
in California was held in September 1848, even before the
state's admission, to the union, to dedicate the county
courthouse of Sacramento County for more than a decade.
The building served as the California capital until a new
structure was commissioned by Governor.
John G Downey, a 34 year. Old, Irish immigrant who had
come to the West Coast in the wake of the Gold Rush Downey.
California is first foreign-born governor was an active Freemason
and he invited his brothers in the craft to host, a Cornerstone
ceremony on May 15th, 1861, by all accounts, the dedication of
the new Capitol building was a major event attended by members
of the California Assembly, and Senate city and state officials
and Freemasons from across the state that evening Downey hosted
a formal dinner for more than 400 guests in 1978.
State capitol was again the site of a Cornerstone ceremony to
Mark the first major renovation of the structure.
Following a 1971 earthquake, California spent more than 68
million dollars over the course of seven years to restore the
building to its original Splendor.
According to California construction link.
This was a full restoration of the historic portion of the
capital. The interior was gutted and they
did a seismic retrofit and restoration of all the
historical features, the 1978 ceremony over which then
grandma. Or Donald B.
McCall. Presided was every bit as
dignified as the original dedication more than a century
earlier. The day started with an
awe-inspiring procession featuring a Fife and Drum Corps,
members of the California, National Guard schoolchildren,
the 59th United States Army Band.
The top state officials joined by hundreds of brothers and
honoring the renovated State Capitol building later that
afternoon dozens of dignitaries were on hand for the solemn.
Rededication ceremony on the capitol grounds officers of the
Grand Lodge used there. Jules to symbolically assess the
soundness of the structure and the Cornerstone was laid with an
offering of corn wine and oil. The evening banquet was chaired
by chief judge and brother, Thomas J McBride of the eastern
district of California for the ninth Circuit of federal
district courts. One of the best-known elements
of the Masonic. Cornerstone ceremony, is the
casket a sealed container placed inside the building's
foundation. So an enduring record may be
found by succeeding generations. To Bear testimony to the
untiring unending Of the free and accepted Mason's, a list of
the contents of the casket. Often referred to, as a time
capsule is often read aloud during the ceremony.
The 1978 Sacramento casket contains items from the
original, 1861 vessel, including coins newspapers, and the 1860
proceedings of the Grand Lodge of California. 20th century
objects, include letters, from President, Jimmy Carter and
Governor. Jerry Brown a state seismic
study and two bottles of California wine, although
Cornerstone ceremonies Are less common today than in previous
decades. They are still an important part
of masonry in California from 2000 to 2003 more than 100,
dedications were held for public institutions, such as libraries
schools, museums veterans homes, and fire departments as well as
for Lodges and the Masonic homes in Union City and Covina
advances in construction. Technology have eliminated the
need for functional cornerstones in most modern buildings but the
need for symbolic cornerstones remain strong.
Not only in architecture In the public and private lives of all
Americans. In an era, often defined by
moral, ambiguity, it may be more important than ever to have an
unyielding unwavering reminder of the principles of the craft,
it is through ancient Traditions.
Such as the Cornerstone ceremony.
That today's Freemasons can forge a link between the past
and the present and strive for a future Guided by wisdom and
justice. A Look at California lodges
distinctive architecture. Eureka lodge number 16 in Auburn
one of Auburn's finest examples of the beaux-arts style of
architecture. This building has been the home
of Eureka Lodge ever since it was built in 1917 an Eclectic
neoclassical style beaux-arts architecture flourished between
1885 and 1920. Combining ancient Greek and
Roman forms with Renaissance ideas, the profusion of columns
grandiosity of these Just made beaux-arts a favored style for
museums and government buildings.
The original construction used low temperature or soft fired
brick for the walls and Timbers that were milled in the Dutch
Flat Alta area and transported by rail.
To Auburn the front facade. Overlay is made of sand, molded
terracotta from the Placer County firm of gliding.
McBean the temple. Is the last remaining building
of Auburn's original Central Square.
In an effort to help preserve this historic building the
native sons of the Golden West, I hated it.
As a point of historical significance on September 12th,
1998. Petaluma Hamilton.
Lodge number 180, in Petaluma Petaluma.
Large number 77 was granted a charter in February 1855.
The lodge met in various rented facilities in downtown Petaluma
following, the Civil War, several Brethren formed
Arcturus, lodge number 180 in 1866 which rented the same
facilities and shared paraphernalia with Petaluma
Lodge in 1879. The two largest purchase a lot
at the corner of Main Street and West Avenue after having the
Cornerstone placed by Grand Lodge, the three-story red
brick, Italian elegant, a building with its unique cast,
iron front facade, and the clock tower on the roof was completed.
In 1882 in 1898, the to Masonic Lodge is merged informed
Petaluma lodge, number 180, like many italian.
I'd a building's, the lodge features decorative pair of
brackets and cornices tall, and narrow paired Windows, a
balanced symmetrical facade, and a square cupola.
In the depression, the original wooden clock.
Cupola had deteriorated funds were not available to repair or
replace the tower. When the townsfolk learned that
the tower would be torn down, they decided to save It.
Ultimately a solution was created that transferred title
of the clock tower to the city. And the wooden Tower was
replaced with a copper cupola as it is today.
The state, the city still sends one of their electricians once a
week to wind the clock. Santa Monica Masonic Center more
than 200 members contributed to the construction of the Santa
Monica Masonic temple, which was officially dedicated on May 8th
in 1923, architect W, ASA Hudson, a member of the lodge
designed the building the two-story structure included,
six commercial spaces on the first floor along with a large
laundry room. Banquet room and several
clubrooms exclusively for La juice on the second floor in the
pre-dawn hours of Monday, January 21st.
Or disaster struck this beautiful Monument to masonry
the Northridge Earthquake as it is now, known caused extensive
damage to the exterior and left the interior of the building and
ruin at a stated meeting. Six months later, the lodge
members voted to embark on a project that would restore the
temple to its pre earthquake condition.
They secured the architectural services of mr.
James F, Kearns to prepare the design for the Reconstruction
and to coordinate, the engineering and permitting
efforts, three years and two point three, five million
dollars later at the temple. Was restored to its original
Splendor with the additional safety of seismic reinforcement.
The building's interior is especially beautiful.
The lodge room is adorned with Masonic symbols that Grace the
walls and ceilings Upholstery. And curtains are made of an
elegant blue, plush fabric, the ante rooms and Tyler's quarters
are also lavishly fitted. The large Club room is
embellished with an impressive fireplace and the adjoining
Billiards, and luncheon rooms are appointed with nice
Furnishings, would dram and handsome, wallcoverings, the
official In Ceremonies for the renovated Temple were held May
18th, 1997. Coincidentally, the same date is
the original dedication. Nearly 75 years earlier Moral
architecture by John L Cooper the third Grand secretary and
John. L Cooper the third is now also a
past Grand Master. Freemasonry sometimes take
surprising turns as it unfolds, its Beauties to a candidate.
Just when he thinks he has figured out the general
direction of a train of thought he's taken in a different
sometimes startling Direction. So it is when a fellow craft
Mason. Here's for the first time, the
interest that Freemasons have an architecture as an honored.
Apprentice he is introduced to the idea that he is building a
spiritual house. A house not made with hands
Eternal in the heavens. He is symbolically placed close
to the master of the lodge. When He re-enters it and is told
that he is this place so that he will learn how to build his
future, moral and Masonic edifice.
For the first time, he is told of the connection between
architecture and morality. A theme pervasive in
Freemasonry. In the lecture of the fellow
craft degree, the candidate is told that Freemasonry consists
of two fundamental concepts operative, masonry and
speculative masonry. The lecture then goes on to
describe the way in which operative Mason's build and
after explaining how such knowledge is necessary for the
Building of physical structures. He is then told that today
Mason's build non-material structures by shaping the
material of their lives into something as useful as the
physical buildings which shelter us from the inclement sees of
the whether a speculative Mason is to subdue.
His passions act upon the square.
Keep a tongue of good report, maintain secrecy and practice
charity. This brief introduction is
followed by a more lengthy discussion of architecture
itself and especially classical architecture with its emphasis
Since on Symmetry and Order upon form and Beauty Mason's of the
17th. And 18th centuries were
fascinated by classical architecture, the architecture
of ancient Greece and Rome, they contrasted the principles of
this type of architecture. With those of the Middle Ages,
the so-called Gothic architecture that was so
different without understanding. Why classical architecture was
so important to those who created our lectures, we cannot
truly understand what they were trying to tell us and as a
result, much of the lesson is easily missed.
As an example, take the five orders of architecture the
senior Deacon explains the five orders to the candidate, but
nothing is said, as to why they are important to him as a Mason.
If he is perceptive, he must be puzzled because he was earlier
told that Masons today are philosophical or speculative and
surely this bit of information pertains to operative.
Masonry. Unless the candidate is
professionally an architect or intends on becoming one.
This bit of information is surely not very useful.
Or is it, is there something hidden here for the candidate to
learn by induction? I believe there is and here is a
meeting to consider classical architecture is classified into
categories by the types of columns that supported as well
as decorated the building. Although the Romans were
familiar with the arch, they generally used it only in
utilitarian architecture, such as aquaducts temples and other
public buildings, followed the traditional means of supporting
the roof by a series of closely spaced pillars or columns.
And the Romans followed the Greeks in creating a sense of
order and Beauty by carving, All The Columns of a building in a
similar manner. The earliest buildings used the
simple technique of fluting of columns to make them seem slim
and graceful despite the sturdiness needed to hold up the
great weight of the stone roof. To keep the columns from sinking
into the ground or punching through the roof.
They develop the concepts of caps capitals on the columns,
the way in which these capitals were carved, determined the
orders and architecture to, which our lectures refer the
simplest is no Capital at all or only a rudimentary one the
Tuscan which although a late development took Simplicity to
one extreme the most ornate of the three types was the
Corinthian a capital decorated with a canthus leaves, making
the column to appear as if it were a living growing support
for the building, the Doric, added a plane capital and the
ionic added a scroll like carving to the Primitive Capital
the composite intern Blended the acanthus leaves of the
Corinthian with the scroll like capital of the Panic in this
manner, classical architecture came to understand the five
orders of Architecture. Is there a symbolic meaning here
from Mason? I think that there is our moral
and Masonic, edifice, our lives that we are building our in
reality supported by symbolic columns, that raise our effort
towards the heavens, there is an understanding that if what we
build remains low and unimposing, it will never
Inspire any others to imitate what we have built, but by
raising the superstructure on Columns of beauty as well as T
are moral and Masonic edifice soars into the sky.
We choose the style in which we build, but all have an equal
value for all. Hold up the superstructure, our
understanding of Life, maybe of the simplest Variety cusk in.
If you will, all the other hand, Others May build with great
Simplicity. But also with great symmetry
their lives are marked by consistency in order.
They are the Doric and ionic columns, simple honest.
But also with the beauty of their own Others, May achieve
great things in life. Sometimes many great things
symbolized by the The end of the composite, but all of us share
the same values, the same understanding of Freemasonry,
regardless of which order in architecture.
We use one definition of Freemasonry is that its moral
architecture if so. Then one of the beautiful
lessons we learn from the five orders of Architecture is that
diversity and how we build is of immense value.
We are not all of the same religion or the same race or the
same language, but we all erect buildings of superb Beauty.
According to our understanding of the art we truly are Are
engaged in building that house, not made with hands Eternal in
the heavens. Reaching for the sky Masonic
principles and modern architecture by Richard Berman.
Imagine a 58 story, Manhattan. Skyscraper inspired by Masonic
values and designed to incorporate the symbols and
principles of the craft. If San Francisco.
Architect Eve gie cam low. Had his way that building would
already exist envisioned. As a 600 foot higher round glass
Atrium, inside a breathtaking glass and Steel Square
structure. The blueprints also call for a
pyramid-shaped Lobby, Masonic inspired columns and ponds to
reflect the Sun and the Moon, each side of the building, Serve
a different function, residential retail office and
hotel. And the top floors would make a
village in the sky made up of retail shops and public areas
while the high-rise may sound like a flight of fancy.
The iranian-born French educated guy, has already designed dozens
of award-winning structures, including Mansions hotels and
even Resorts that are heavily steeped in the symbolism.
And philosophy of Freemasonry while contemporary Masonic
ritual, and design traces, its roots to the Builders of the
ancient world. The Link is usually a symbolic
one for gie. Who is master of Le Parfait
Union number 17 in San Francisco for four years and Grand
standard-bearer of Grand Lodge nationale Francais, masonry is
the central inspiration for his architectural work by designing
a space with substance. He says something happens to the
space, like something happens to a lodge when it is open meeting
guy in front of his office in San Francisco's, trendy Marina
District. It is immediately apparent that
symbolism plays a central role in his life.
If impeccably dressed in a purple French cuff shirt, a
turtle tie for good luck. Blue, blazer, and press 10
slacks. The eye is immediately drawn to
the large gold icon stitched on the breast pocket of his
Immaculate jacket. The 46 year old architect
explains that the design is a fusion of a winged lion, his
family's Royal Crest for and by the initials GC representing
Gia, Campbell lineage. He makes little if any
distinction between the design as a corporate logo and a symbol
of his answers. Street.
Once inside the building the door to his office features, a
modified version of the emblem in which the Griffin has been
replaced by the Masonic Square compass and triangle various
versions of the image are found throughout his office to most
Americans. The concept of a family.
Crest is a historical curiosity for EG IE.
It is the core of his personal and professional identity.
One of the seven royal families of Persia.
His family has been one of the Iran's most prominent families
for more than 700 years in the early 20th century.
The Klan was an early supporter of Iran's effort to modernize
its political system and adopted the surname of gie camo, which
is often shortened to GI in place of his Noble Titles since
their Exile from Iran. In the late 1970s, the crest has
served as a tangible symbol of the family's Heritage in 1953,
Hadar geek, amlo completed the second of his two doctorates at
the prestigious école, DES beaux-arts, in Paris, and return
to Tehran to launch his career. As an architect, His work
received immediate, Acclaim and earned him, the title, the
father of Iranian architecture. Before the age of 40, the young
designer one commissions to create major public buildings,
including the country's Senate, and he became official architect
to the Imperial Court and aide-de-camp to the shop, by the
mid-1970s, his construction and architecture business was worth
more than a billion dollars. However, the overthrow of the
Shah in 1978 forced the family to relocate to Paris and
re-establish their business outside of Iran to honor their
hair. Agent Homeland, the family
selected, the gie Royal Crest as the new corporate logo upon.
Hey tars death in 8 1985 28 year-old eve took over the
family business and for nearly 20 years has built an
international reputation as an architect in his own right.
He's designed numerous internationally renowned pieces
and his work has been featured in more than 20 magazines.
And newspapers Eve has received awards from the Swiss government
and the city of San Francisco dedicated, October 26th, as hate
our guy. And Sons day in recognition of
the company's contributions to architecture in Northern
California while still a student.
In Paris, you became a Freemason at age 21, because he was
attracted to the crafts, ethical structure and symbolism, he
explains that his Muslim father and Jewish mother raised him in
a very spiritual environment Guided by the principles of
masonry. Even though Hadar did not become
a Mason, until he was in his 50s Eve's explains in Iran, most
businesses and political leaders were Mason's.
My father didn't want Wine because he didn't want to use
the craft as a stepping stone or for monetary gain only after he
was established. Did he feel?
It was right to become a Mason as important as his family has
been in his career evi, he credits the values and symbols
of The Craft as the Cornerstone of his artistic Vision.
There has been a significant benefit to my membership in
masonry. Every week, I would go to the
lodge entering the space. I am moved from being in the
room. I am able to keep my focus on
the spirit of the design rather than just the Practical value.
Two of his buildings in the Bay Area.
Exemplified guy has commitment to incorporate a masonic
elements in his design. The astrolabe house a 6,000
square foot mansion in San Francisco's, Bernal.
Heights, neighborhood was inspired by ancient Persian
navigational, tools and features columns and other symbols of
Freemasonry inside and outside of the structure, The Chateau
gholston, a guy home in nearby Walnut Creek is in the shape of
the square and compass and features a pool in the shape of
the All-Seeing Eye and a winding staircase as Symbolic
representation of the Vela craft agree.
The house is surrounded with series of three five and seven
columns inspired by a numerological aspect of
Freemasonry while circulating through the house.
Visitors are continually LED through a circumambulation
similar to the one experienced in the degrees of Masonry.
What are the benefits of a masonic house key is this would
be like, asking why we go through the Masonic ritual.
Each time we visit a lodge. The answer to me is very simple
and obvious, our Spirits are lifted and exalted.
Each time, we experience Masonic spaces and this contributes to
our well-being, and our happiness.
As an architect, I have always tried to derive my designs from
the many aspects of our great craft.
Even yeah, he has incorporated Masonic symbols in a wide range
of projects from hotels and Romania to resorts in Costa
Rica. Elements are occasionally over
but the majority of them are subtly incorporated into the
structures in looking at his past and plan projects, it is
evident that you ve is always trying to create structures that
include as much of the crafts to influence as possible.
The proposed, Masonic skyscraper, which in all
likelihood will never be built, would be the Pinnacle of
achievement for an architect, who has dedicated his career to
transcending traditional Notions about architecture by creating
buildings that raise the spirit of those who step inside.
Architecture, aims at eternity, Christopher, Wren, and the New
London by Richard Berman, the Dome of London st.
Paul's Cathedral is one of the most recognizable and beautiful
structures in the world standing more than 350 feet high.
The building is a powerful symbol of England, and the
Anglican communion. No less extraordinary is the
Freemason who built it. Christopher Wren.
Ren was born in 1632 to a clerical family and was raised
in Windsor Castle where his father served as personal
chaplain to the king of England, as a child ran invented, a
pneumatic engine and a weather clock.
And while a student at Oxford, he conducted important research
in mathematics Optics, physics and medicine before.
The age of 30, he was named civilian professor of astronomy
at Oxford where Isaac Newton used his research in the
formation of the theory of gravity and recognition of his
contributions. Charles the second Ren's
childhood Playmate at Windsor Castle named him a founding
member of the Royal Society a group of England's most
distinguished scientists in. 1663 Ren traveled to Rome and
began scholarship in the field in which he would make his
lasting Mark. Architecture inspired by a 1500
year old book by Vitruvius namesake of the Masonic Lodge in
Petaluma, Ren developed, a keen interest in the theatres and
temples of ancient Rome. Over the next three years he
established himself as England's foremost.
Architect and designed buildings at Oxford and Cambridge that are
still being used today. In September 1666, large
sections of London were destroyed by the great fire and
run at age. 34 was appointed by Charles, the second to rebuild
the city, all the Dome of st. Paul's the fourth Cathedral to
be built on the site is the most famous of his architectural
designs. Ren supervise, the
Reconstruction of more than 100 important buildings including
churches. The There's hospitals and
institutions such as the Royal Naval College.
While many more of his utopian ideals for urban planning were
never implemented. It is fair to say that modern
landed would be fundamentally different without his vision
ingenious rent. Like the ancient Roman Builders
who admired viewed architecture is more than the creation of
functional structures. He saw public buildings as the
ornament of a country that makes the people love their native
country. Indeed, he Incorporated many
elements of Roman design into his own buildings.
The Dome of st. Paul's is modern after the Roman
Pantheon and several other churches in theaters, include
design elements from the ancient world, not surprisingly
religious leaders who were uncomfortable with the Greek and
Roman influence rejected. Many of his blueprints Wren was
given the title surveyor general of the Kings Works in dedicated.
The rest of his life to rebuilding his home City in
1673. He resigned his post at Oxford
because his high workload in two years later began work on st.
Paul's in recognition of his contributions to the country.
Wren was knighted by Charles the second that same year, Ren's
major, churches include st. Mary labo, St.
James and st. Clement Danes were completed
before 1690, although St. Paul's, his largest and most
ambitious project was not finished until 1710.
Although records are spares. It is generally accepted that
Christopher Wren became a Freemason on May 18th 1691 at a
ceremony at st. Paul's which was still in the
early stages of construction regular services in the
completed. Sections of the building did not
begin until 1697 John Aubrey, a fellow of the Royal Society and
an eminent naturalist term, the ceremony, as quote, a great
convention at st. Paul's Church of the fraternity
of adopted Mason's where Sir Christopher Wren is to be
adopted as a brother. There have been kings that have
been of this sodality and quote. It is Philly fitting that the
most eminent architect of his day and perhaps of all time was
a Freemason, after all the craft is based on principles of
geometry and That date back to Antiquity and ran was a major
figure in incorporating Greco-Roman elements, including
the large domes into contemporary English
architecture. Christopher, Wren died in 1723
at the age of 91 and extraordinary life span by the
standards of the day. In a fitting tribute.
He was the first person interred at st.
Paul's Cathedral, which today holds the remains of eminent
Britain such as the Duke of Wellington and Admiral Nelson.
Ren wants will wrote architecture aims at eternity T
today, nearly 300 years after the completion of his glorious
Masterwork? It seems he may have been
correct. Brothers, in architecture, The
Three Degrees Of Walter Bliss, and William Fayetteville for
over 40 years, the Grand Lodge of California made its home at
25, Van Ness Avenue in San Francisco, while not occupied by
Masons. Today, it still stands as an
enduring Monument to masonry and to an important milestone in the
creative development of the men who designed it Walter Danforth.
Bliss was born in 1872 in Nevada and attended MIT where he met
William Baker Fayetteville, More than five years of senior
Fayetteville was born in California, but a grown-up in
Western New York State. The two friends left MIT and
1895 and began work at The prominent.
New York Architecture, Firm of McKim Mead and white.
Three years later, the pair formed, a partnership of their
own and selected San Francisco as their base in 1902, Bliss
petition, California lodge number one in San Francisco
Fayetteville petition the same Lodge, 10 years later with
bliss, as his first line signer, just, as their Masonic history.
Eels, their progress through the three degrees of masonry
architectural historian, see their professional work in three
degrees were stages of development.
The first is a period strongly influenced by their MIT
education. During this time, they
demonstrated enthusiasm for the classic style, creating a solid
foundation for their new practice, obtaining commissions
for the Oakland library to bank buildings and several
residences. The second stage illustrates a
more uninhibited form of architecture, incorporating
various Styles and creating a sense of diversity.
Sent to Europe by Charles F, Crocker, who commissioned them
to design the st. Francis Hotel, they studied the
finest, hotels in London, and Paris on their return.
They designed the now famous hotel, which was built in 1904.
They were commissioned to enlarge the hotel in 1907.
And again, in 1913 by this time, they had entered a new period
described by the architect and engineer of California magazine,
as an early, Italian manner, where brick terracotta and
similar materials, are wrought in two forms of unexpected
Elegance. The And this Temple is said to
Mark the beginning of this third and final stage, the Masonic
temple marks, the culmination of work to date, architect BJs,
Cahill wrote in his 1914 review. Turned out by a firm whose most
important service to architecture is yet to come
since the Grand Lodge relocated to, its current headquarters on
Nob Hill in the 1950s. The Van Ness Temple has been
sold retrofitted and reopened as a Performing Art Center, but
with the exterior, preserve nearly as it was originally
designed it stands as a testimony.
To the development of The Men Who conceived it.
The two brothers in architecture who were masters of their craft,
Thank you for listening. If you like what you heard,
Please Subscribe and leave us a comment.
We enjoy hearing from our listeners.
If you really like what you heard, share this podcast with
your friends and Lodge members. Visit us online at Salomon
staircase, dot-org