Universal Sacred Space

OUR UNIVERSAL SACRED SPACE



Sitting high on top a majestic mountain, is a beautiful scenic garden surrounding a luminous glass geodesic dome. Surrounded by blue skies, fresh air, and abound by nature in all directions, is this site of religious significance. It is designed for all religions who desire to meditate as one or congregate as a whole.

The large voluminous geodesic dome is three hundred feet in diameter and self supporting due to the steel truss system. The surface is composed of many strong glass triangles that visually create a pattern of dimensional polyhedrons. Clear glass allows brilliant sunlight, as well as bright starry moonlit nights to radiate light over the entire interior.

A white textured limestone wall circulates 360 degrees around the base of the dome providing exterior and interior structural support. At the north, south, east, and west sides of the limestone walls are four very large wooden arched doorways with stained glass in the centers. Wood solid buttressing is buried into the limestone for support above the doorways. A rainbow of colorful glass is used to create different asymmetrical scenes of nature on each set of doors. Each beautiful scene is an assortment of trees, flowers, water, stars, moon, sun, and mountains. Blue and green dominate the colors on the glass with shades of red and yellow highlights.

Once you open a door, you enter into a spacious open air foyer that you can either walk straight towards the sanctuary, or you can turn to the right or left and continue the foyer area that circles the perimeter of the interior dome. Above each of the doorways, are long wooden cornices imbedded into the limestone, each holding a variety of religious small friezes. Within the limestone walls of the foyer are many areas of built in various sized ledges (niches) that display hundreds of donated sacred objects. Religions of all types have provided a variety of individual significant relics, icons, prints, or deities. Some mediums are of natural elements such as grass or fabrics, and others are wood or stone carvings. There are even some beautiful glass and tiled mosaics. All of the religious artifacts share a great importance and are displayed with respect.

Periodically placed on the limestone walls are twelve large wooden frames containing historical written content in reference to the mapping of the solar and planetary system. The twelve frames are divided by the months of the year and refer to the specific definitions of the sun, moon, and stars that are so prevalent in many of the ancient religions. The aesthetics of the foyer area projects as a gallery due to all the universal religious contributions.

Once you enter into the enormous circular open air sanctuary, you begin to descend steps towards the center that is emphasized with a towering 120 foot cylindrical water fall. The sanctuary is literally carved out of the top of the mountain. Rows and rows of long curved benches covered with sheets of smooth polished natural granite descend in a theatrical style of seating. On both ends of each row are attached curved granite planters holding an array of colorful flowers and greenery. Back up at the top of the stairs of the sanctuary, on each side of the north, south, east, and west entrances, are large circular rock planters. Each planter is 20 feet in diameter, hold tall cypress and cedar trees, and present seasonal flowers at the edges. The colorful flowers contrast nicely against the rough textured white limestone background, smooth granite, and shaggy bark of the cypress and cedar trees.

As the stairs cascade down to the center, you can’t help but notice the flooring you stand upon. There is light colored marble creating a pattern of overlapping ringed circles that are pressed and cut into a rich warm wood floor. The design is complex and unique.

At the center of the lower floor is a raised circular white marbled platform for the waterfall and the oak trees that surround it. The platform is forty feet in diameter and only three feet high. Since the sanctuary is carved out of the mountain, an underground spring is utilized for the fountain. A solar powered pump pushes water up through the center of the tall cone shaped cylinder made of white sparkling marble. Due to the slight coned shape, water is able to trickle over the top edges and gracefully roll down the shaft in a small pool. The pool is designed similar to an impluvium except the water source is from a natural spring from below and it is recycled. In the sunlight, the water silently sparkles against the white polished marble. At night, artificial under water lights aimed up towards the heavens surround the waterfall. Surrounding the pool of water are six tall oak trees that are carpeted in textured greenery and seasonal flowers at the bases.

From sunrise to sunset, there are dramatic shades of light and shadows that create an ever changing appearance on the interior. The white limestone, white marble and masses of colorful soft flowers are intensely contrasted against the natural colored granite, rocks, bark, and wood floors. It is visually stimulating to see an area of worship with such natural beauty. Peacefully sitting in a large natural environment with just the sound of a trickle of water, should enable one to connect with their spiritual thoughts.

Parking is kept at a far distance so as not to interfere with nature. Therefore, the dome is surrounded by acres of lush, peaceful gardens. Walkways made from stone curve and wind in a musical rhythm around the entire complex creating a multitude of private meditation areas. Trees, hedges, and flowers are heavily scattered over the gardens. Many sections have natural rock with water flowing down into koi ponds that are filled with various fish life. Some areas have decorative formal marble water fountains with low relief statues on the top. Wood benches, marble benches, and large ornamental rocks are placed in sections to provide outdoor seating. Various wood and marble free standing sculptures and shrines scatter the landscape. Each piece of artwork has its own unique dimensions, colorations, texture and shape that represent those who provided its content. There is even a Zen garden complete with light colored sand that is deeply contrasted against the dark rocks that are placed within the perimeter. It is truly a universal garden for everyone to quietly spend time in thought.

The dome, seating, walls, floors, planters, waterfall, foyer, and curved walkways are full of curved lines. Extreme depth defines this interior. Colors of nature are overwhelmingly evident inside and out. Time travels as the value of light and shadows appear and disappear through the property. There is very little negative space within the dome. What negative space there is in the lush gardens is meant to be, for silence. The trees on the interior may only offer a difference in height or width; otherwise the interior is completely symmetrical and balanced. The garden offers many organic shapes and is consistently asymmetrical through out. Energy from the water, light and plants are provided on the inside. Outside you have water, and an abundance of life. There is repetition of geometrical designs in the sanctuary. Unity exists when you take all of the dome architecture and focalize all of its creation towards the center, and then upwards. This type of construction has no problems in merging with nature.

A glass geodesic dome is a wonderful piece of architecture that allows all religions who associate the value of the sun, moon, and stars to participate in each daily creation. The polyhedrons reflect nature as well as the soil that surrounds all plant life. All of the trees, plants and water give life. The dome and towering waterfall reach up to touch the heavens, while the water returns in motion back to earth providing life. The koi ponds give a symbol of strength and longevity. The trees of life are a link between heaven and earth. The trees unify the sky above with the earth below. The many varieties of plants and flowers seen through out the grounds have different meanings for all visitors. Flowers have always been a significant part of all cultures around the world. Plants and flowers accompany us in every major event in life; birth, marriage, holidays, celebrations, illnesses, and in death. Our sacred place is full of symbolism inside and out. We have incorporated elements of nature along with many sacred objects that have cultural and religious meanings.

In our universal sacred place, the heavens are there for our own personal form of worship, as well as enjoyment. As you look around the beautiful grounds, you will see sacred objects from many different cultures and religions. There are hundreds of pieces of artwork representing the lifework of many beliefs. The location, gardens, and sanctuary offer a type of blessing and peacefulness. Faith in Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, and the many others, are all welcomed. Our universal sacred place holds meaning and faith for many people in so many different ways.


Michelle Taylor
Margie Clark
Mitsi Pimentel
Kim Acosta