Sunday, November 29, 2009

Thematic Photographic 77: "Buildings" v.4.0 - Imperious and Imposing


"Especially at Night"
Durham, NC - October 2009 (Click to embiggen)

Thematic Photographic hosted by Carmi - Button Image by Smarmoofus Hosted by Written Inc.
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Also a Gothic style non-denominaitonal chapel built in the 1930's, you'll never confuse this one with The Stone Chapel featured in yesterday's post. Of all the churches, chapels, temples and other religious buildings in the Raleigh-Durham area, there is perhaps none more identifiable that Duke Chapel. Sited on the campus of Duke University, this Gothic style cathedral is one of the tallest buildings in Durham county (at 210 ft/64 m). Though nominally non-denominational (yes it's an oxymoron, what's it to ya?) the chapel has ties to the United Methodist Church (as does the university). Plans for the chapel were initially drawn in 1925, but the cornerstone wasn't laid until 1930 (no doubt taking advantage of a wealth of cheap labor left unemployed by the Great Depression). The building opened in 1932, but wasn't called completed and oficially dedicated until June 2, 1935. It was one of the last of the original buildings to be erected on Duke's West Campus, and at total project cost of $2.3 million Depression-era dollars, probably the most expensive as well. In fact, adjusted for inflation, it's probably still the most expensive building on campus. (I wonder what it cost to build Wallace Wade Stadium?)
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4 comments:

Robin said...

What a building. Even before I read your explanation the first thing that popped into my head was "Gotham".

Great shot!

carmilevy said...

The building may have been horrifically expensive, but your capture of it is priceless. I'm not even gonna ask about the lighting...OMG did you nail it!

annalarssonphotography said...

WOW!!
My first thought was Gotham too :)

This shot is OUSTANDING!!!

Daryl said...

Interesting to only me,I am sure, this reminds me of City College's main building ... and sort of, just a teensy bit of Old North Church