The Texas State Capital
In the film field, there is a saying that the more regional you are, the more international you will become. The Texas State Capitol is an international building crafted using regional materials. The construction of the building is primarily based on the pink granite from Granite Mountain near Marble Falls. The pink granite provided a unique and authentic feel to the Building. It was designed by Elijah E. Myers. The classical detailing and symmetry provided an effect of Italian Renaissance Revival architecture. Texas state capitol serves as a legislative building as well as an architecture wonder for the city.
Kimbell Art Museum
The Kimbell Art Museum is captivating with the blend of priceless art collection and beautiful architecture. The museum was inaugurated in 1972 and holds a collection of European Masterpieces, including works of Michelangelo. It was designed by the legendary designer Louis Kahn, who focused attention on lighting and simplicity. The museum features a series of parallel concrete vaults with skylights that allow sunlight to act as a source of lighting. This creates an organic environment for enjoying the art.
Fort Worth Water Gardens
Fort Worth Water Gardens is a lesson in urban design blending harmoniously with the environment. The most captivating feature of the water garden is its geometric layout, consisting of modernist design principles. The garden consists of 3 pools, the Active Pool, the Quiet Pool, and the Aerating Pool. The water in the pool not only serves as a visual spectacle but also acts as an interactive experience.
Glenwood Cemetery in Houston
Glenwood Cemetery, established in 1871 is one of the oldest cemeteries in the Country. The architectural diversity makes the Glendwood Cemetery apart from the other Cemeteries in the country. The cemetery consists of many burial moments, mausoleums, and sculptures, that remind the visitors of old architectural styles. The visitors can also take a walk through the tree-lined paths and gardens, which provides a meditation feeling for the burials.
The San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
The San Antonio Missions National Historical Park comes under UNESCO’s World Heritage Site. This park presents a stunning display of Spanish colonial architecture. It consists of curved gateways, sturdy adobe walls, majestic bell towers, and a delightful inner courtyard. During the Spanish colonial period, the building serves as a center for different activities such as community development and agriculture. The visitors can have guided tours to learn more about the architecture and history of the place.
San Jacinto Monument, La Porte
The San Jacinto Monument attracts visitors with its height. The 567-foot structure serves as a tribute to the Battle of San Jacinto, symbolizing the hard-fought struggle for Texa’s independence from Mexican rule. The monument has detailed carvings that remind the visitors about the scenes from the Battle of San Jacinto. The buildings also provide an observation deck. The visitors can use this to have a panoramic viewing experience of the landscape. Architects can draw inspiration from the architecture of the San Jacinto Monument for its blending of historical elements and Art Deco style.
The Menil Collection
The Menil Collection is a fine art gallery situated in Houston. The structure functions as a setting for the varied collection and was conceived by Italian architect Renzo. The inside of the structure is meticulously constructed with a fusion of metal, cement, and timber. The selection of these elements offers practicality as well as visual appeal. Beyond the interior, the beauty of the Menil collection extends to the beautiful courtyard. The Byzantine Fresco Chapel also comes under the Menil Collection.
The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza is a tribute to the former American President, John F. Kennedy. This museum showcases a collection of pictures and objects that are connected to Kennedy’s life. Additionally, it encompasses the incidents that revolve around his tragic assassination. In the previous century, this structure functioned as the Texas School Book Depository. Even today, the building retains its original warehouse design, which effectively transports visitors back to the historical backdrop and ambiance of the 20th century.
The Rothko Chapel
The Houston-based Rothko Chapel is a universal sanctuary that merges the realms of faith, modern artwork, and contemporary architecture. Within the chapel’s walls, one can behold a collection of monumental canvases crafted by abstract expressionist visionary Mark Rothko. These paintings act as a catalyst in providing a meditative atmosphere in the chapel. The chapel itself boasts an eight-sided structure, adorned with a skylight at its center. The quiet environment fosters a deep sense of reflection and spiritual connection for the visitors. The reflective pool and flora in the surroundings also act as a catalyst in the aesthetics of the Chape.
Space Center Houston
Space Center Houston functions as a facility for visitors to NASA’s Johnson Space Center. This establishment was built in the year 1992 and was artistically crafted by the talented architects at Morris Architects. The design of the space centers tries to give an educational experience for visitors regarding space technology. The use of contemporary materials and glass facades provides an innovative look to the building. The building has various exhibition spaces that can used for displaying educational content and models. The design extends to the outdoor environment including the nearby Johnson Space Center facilities.
Image Links:
- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Texas_State_Capitol_Night.jpg
- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Texas_State_Capitol_Dome_Interior_View.jpg
- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Texas_State_Capitol_(10556019773).jpg
- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kimbell_Art_Museum_with_Moore_sculpture.jpg
- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kimbell_Art_Museum_January_2017_2.jpg
- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kimbell_Art_Museum_Fort_Worth_courtyard.jpg
- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fort_Worth_Water_Gardens_1_(4689217353).jpg
- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fort_Worth_Water_Gardens_02.jpg
- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fort_Worth_Water_Gardens.jpg
- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hughes_grave_1,_Glenwood_Cemetery,_Historic_Second_Ward,_Houston_TX.jpg
- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Glenwood_Cemetery,_Houston,_Texas_(8297697293).jpg
- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Angel_of_Grief,_Gloria_Cheng,_Glenwood_Cemetery,_Houston,_TX.jpg
- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:San_Antonio_Missions_National_Historical_Park_1.jpg
- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mission_Bells_at_Mission_San_Juan.jpg
- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:San_Antonio_Missions_National_Historical_Park_2.jpg
- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:San_Jacinto_Monument.jpg
- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:San_Jacinto_Monument_-_Bas_reliefs_10.JPG
- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:San_Jacinto_Monument001.jpg
- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MenilCollection.JPG
- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Byzantine_Fresco_Chapel_Museum,_Houston,_Texas_LCCN2011630274.tif
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menil_Collection#/media/File:MenilCollection.jpg
- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Texas_School_Book_Depository_in_Dallas,_Texas,_where_Lee_Harvey_Oswald,_the_presumptive_assassin_of_President_John_F._Kennedy,_found_a_perch_above_the_plaza_on_Nov._22,_1963_LCCN2014632054.tif
- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_sixth-floor_corner_window_of_the_Texas_School_Book_Depository_in_Dallas,_Texas.jpg
- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:View_from_the_seventh_floor_of_The_Sixth_Floor_Museum_August_2015.jpg
- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rothko_Chapel_-_1_August_2010.jpg
- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rothko_Chapel_(8088556864).jpg
- https://www.artnews.com/feature/rothko-chapel-why-is-it-important-1202687857/
- https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g56003-d669494-Reviews-Space_Center_Houston-Houston_Texas.html#/media-atf/669494/723071145:p/?albumid=-160&type=0&category=-160
- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Space_Center_Houston_March_2022_02_(interior).jpg
- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Space_Centre,_Houston,_Lyndon_B._Johnson_Space_Center_(5).JPG
References:
- Alta, Claudia, and Lady Bird Johnson’s. “Fort Worth Water Garden | TCLF.” The Cultural Landscape Foundation, https://www.tclf.org/landscapes/fort-worth-water-garden. Accessed 14 January 2024.
- “Kimbell Art Museum | History, Collection, Louis Kahn, & Facts.” Britannica, 19 November 2023, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Kimbell-Art-Museum. Accessed 14 January 2024.
- “Learn More About Johnson Space Center.” NASA, 31 October 2023, https://www.nasa.gov/johnson/. Accessed 14 January 2024.
- “The Menil Collection.” Houston Museum District, https://houmuse.org/visit/the-menil-collection/. Accessed 14 January 2024.
- Renfrow, Daniel. “A Guide to Glenwood Cemetery’s Famous Houstonians.” Houstonia Magazine, 31 October 2023, https://www.houstoniamag.com/arts-and-culture/2023/10/glenwood-cemetery-famous-houstonians. Accessed 14 January 2024.
- “San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.” National Park Foundation, https://www.nationalparks.org/explore/parks/san-antonio-missions-national-historical-park. Accessed 14 January 2024.
- “San Jacinto Museum | Things To Do in La Porte, TX.” Visit Houston, https://www.visithoustontexas.com/listings/san-jacinto-museum/19549/. Accessed 14 January 2024.
- Shine, Jacqui. “The Rothko Chapel.” The New York Times, 23 August 2017, https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/23/magazine/the-rothko-chapel.html. Accessed 14 January 2024.
- “Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza.” Visit Dallas, https://www.visitdallas.com/directory/sixth-floor-museum-at-dealey-plaza/. Accessed 14 January 2024.
- “Space Center Houston | Things To Do in Houston, TX.” Visit Houston, https://www.visithoustontexas.com/listings/space-center-houston/19562/. Accessed 14 January 2024.
- “Texas State Capitol – Guide To Austin Architecture.” Guide To Austin Architecture, https://guidetoaustinarchitecture.com/places/texas-state-capitol/. Accessed 14 January 2024.
