As a young architecture student at the University of Illinois, I remember regularly walking by the Christian Science Student Center on the corner of 4th Street and Gregory. The building, designed by Paul Rudolph, was striking, rendered in what some call the brutalist style. Although it had a distinct appearance it always seem very humane to me. Rudolph was a master of composition. The exterior forms where varied and, as intended, created a “scaleless” effect. Most of the windows were placed high up in vertical shafts, which directed light into the interior spaces by day and acted as a series of beacons at night. It was like the building formed its own urban skyline.
The interior spaces were shocking and compelling. The way the ceilings were used to define space was remarkable, and the colors he used were unapologetically energetic. The proportions and sequencing of spaces and the unfolding experiences were exquisite. For an impressionable young student, it was like experiencing a modern version of the Sistine Chapel. I knew the building upset many people who would have preferred a building with a more common appearance, but for me it was a welcome island amidst a vast ocean of banality. As the congregation declined in number the building was eventually put up for sale. It was purchased by a developer and tragically torn down in March of 1986. I was one of the last to tour this compositional masterpiece, and this is my witness.
thanks again David….I enjoyed reading about the excitement you felt witnessing a Rudolf design on Uof I campus…Campuses are often perfect environments for the contrast that allows for something modern to come alive in full glory….I loved the SOM bldgs at the Univ of Iowa campus….particularly the brutalist style stuff that Walter Netshe (SOM architect at the time I believe)designed there (and the Univ of Ill Circle Campus)….I was reminded of my young days in HS when I would drive to the Univ of Northern Iowa campus just to hang out in the student center…..it was almost an electric sense of excitement to be in that bldg that was partially underground….there were secret narrow passages and hallways with narrow staircase where you could explore and have fun…I have long forgot who designed that student center, but I have never forgotten and I suspect it still exists…I used to spend time on the Univ of Ill campus when I was very young….my father went to school there so we attended track meets and basketball games….It was the new space ship arena built there in the early 60’s that captured my attention at the time….I loved attending games there and exploring and wondering how that massive concrete roof was supported as it spanned the entire interior space 🙂 just woke up(so sorry if this is incoherent)….loved your article on Paul Rudolf