CULTURAL/RELIGIOUS
A PATH OF LIGHT
An Anthropology Museum for Istanbul
The roof of this anthropology museum is a glass walkway between two religious structures - the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque of Istanbul.
The Hagia Sophia was originally built as a Christian church and the Blue Mosque as an Islamic mosque. The architectural design of the two structures speaks to their purpose through the history of religious architecture.
During the day the shadows of people walking on the glass path are cast into the spaces, below; the ghosts of people above walking about in a public plaza; a public plaza framed by two different ideologies.
At night, when the museum is lit, a "path of light" is formed between the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. The two ideologies become linked by 'illumination'.
The notion of A Path of Light is a metaphor for spiritual awareness. Different beliefs are subordinated into a composition that speaks to common human ties - the fundamental nature of our humanity.
The museum is below ground level. The galleries are under the glass path.
Support and educational spaces are buried beneath the landscape flanking the path.
The Hagia Sophia was originally built as a Christian church and the Blue Mosque as an Islamic mosque. The architectural design of the two structures speaks to their purpose through the history of religious architecture.
During the day the shadows of people walking on the glass path are cast into the spaces, below; the ghosts of people above walking about in a public plaza; a public plaza framed by two different ideologies.
At night, when the museum is lit, a "path of light" is formed between the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. The two ideologies become linked by 'illumination'.
The notion of A Path of Light is a metaphor for spiritual awareness. Different beliefs are subordinated into a composition that speaks to common human ties - the fundamental nature of our humanity.
The museum is below ground level. The galleries are under the glass path.
Support and educational spaces are buried beneath the landscape flanking the path.
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