As we came to resting point in at Northwestern University in Chicago, we found a striking and uncanny resting spot for wise old trees. They had been removed, trunkated to 6 feet lengths and staked in a wall formation creating an earthy barrier sometimes 9 feet tall defining the perimeter a surface blacktop parking lot.
The growth rings on these once ancient giants reinforce the simplicity of community radiating out from an inner circle of life. This is quite successful for trees that have a guardian to help protect them from predators and a great example for the design of some communities where the landscape allows.
The jagged adges of the protective bark symbolizes for me the walls we build to protect us from the things on the outside of our comfortable surroundings. They also resemble the outline and coldness of a sharp stainless steel knife or weapon that seem to provide the visual and practicle protection for the things below the surface. Kind of how we as followers of Christ stand together around a unified purpose in order to help and protect the concentric communities all around us.
The growth rings on these once ancient giants reinforce the simplicity of community radiating out from an inner circle of life. This is quite successful for trees that have a guardian to help protect them from predators and a great example for the design of some communities where the landscape allows.
The jagged adges of the protective bark symbolizes for me the walls we build to protect us from the things on the outside of our comfortable surroundings. They also resemble the outline and coldness of a sharp stainless steel knife or weapon that seem to provide the visual and practicle protection for the things below the surface. Kind of how we as followers of Christ stand together around a unified purpose in order to help and protect the concentric communities all around us.
Hopefully this seasoned giant will be transformed in to another grand purpose as its legacy. To provide shelter and shade for so many over the past decades, it seems a wonderful opportunity to be transformed and re-purposed for many more decades.
Approaching CHI-CHI Town (Chicago) I saw the towering skyscrapers, technically classified by any building over 75' tall, framing and defining the skyline in all of their glory and grandeur.
A verse came to mind as I was driving:
Genesis 11:4 New International Version (NIV)
4 Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”
NOTE: The bible verse is a reference and NOT a direct opinion of mine toward towers, skyscrapers or high rises. I believe tall buildings can be a thing of beauty and prominence when created to work within the surrounding architectural fabric and meets the programmatic needs of the people.
Approaching CHI-CHI Town (Chicago) I saw the towering skyscrapers, technically classified by any building over 75' tall, framing and defining the skyline in all of their glory and grandeur.
A verse came to mind as I was driving:
Genesis 11:4 New International Version (NIV)
4 Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”
NOTE: The bible verse is a reference and NOT a direct opinion of mine toward towers, skyscrapers or high rises. I believe tall buildings can be a thing of beauty and prominence when created to work within the surrounding architectural fabric and meets the programmatic needs of the people.
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