St. Basil's Church by Philip Johnson in Houston

When in Houston, besides the Houston Museum of Fine Arts (which I visit every time), I made a special trip to see two church buildings this time. One of them is the Rothko Chapel—it might be the most serene, quiet church I’ve ever been to, a place where you can freely drift into a meditative state. As soon as you step inside, all sounds seem to vanish instantly. ✨ 💕💕There is no artificial lighting; the only natural light pours in through the octagonal skylight at the center of the room. While the sun blazes outside, the chapel feels like a cool, separate world—I even sensed a gentle breeze. It was so quiet that I could almost feel the presence of a girl meditating nearby. Sitting still for ten minutes felt as long as half an hour.👀 The chapel’s walls display a total of 14 large-scale paintings by Mark Rothko. Most of these works feature single, dark, muted tones, filling the entire chapel with an aura of spirituality.💞 Outside the chapel stands Broken Obelisk, a sculpture by American artist Barnett Newman, created in memory of Martin Luther King Jr. 🍚 It is reflected in a calm pool of water, complementing the simple, minimalist Rothko Chapel perfectly.🎋 This chapel shares a similar architectural philosophy with "Austin"—a small structure outside the Blanton Museum of Art in Austin: it blurs the lines between architecture, art, and religion, making it a place of spiritual sustenance, comfort, and meditation for everyone. The Rothko Chapel took 7 years to build and opened to the public in 1971. 🕊️ 🍐🎼Recognized for its outstanding, understated, and solemn design, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and stands as a model of contemporary American architecture. Photography is not allowed inside the chapel, so I bought a postcard of its interior as a souvenir.👉👈 Near the Rothko Chapel, on the campus of the University of St. Thomas (Houston), lies the Chapel of St. Basil—a small but beautiful church. Designed by Philip Johnson, one of the most influential architects of the 20th century and known as the "godfather of American architecture," the chapel is a deconstructivist work that also incorporates minimalist and modernist elements. 💕 🌌🌌This renowned architect also participated in the early design of the Rothko Chapel, so the two buildings share a similar approach to lighting—both make masterful use of natural light. During the day, the chapel relies mainly on light from its dome, the skylight above the altar, a depiction of the Virgin Mary on the east wall, and an asymmetrical glass cross on the west wall.⛰️ 🌤️The asymmetrical cross is the most fascinating feature of this chapel. Another wonderful detail is the tent-like design of its entrance, which makes the process of entering the church feel dynamic and joyful, gradually leading visitors into a state of calm. Additionally, the church’s exterior shape, internal altar, seating, and crosses all adopt varied, asymmetrical designs—breaking the rigid conventions of traditional churches and architecture.🏡 What I appreciate most is that the chapel is located on a campus: students, faculty, and visitors like us can enter at any time to pray, seek comfort, or visit. It is so close to daily life and people’s hearts—and that is truly wonderful.🌈🌈 #HoustonPhotography #LookUpForArt #Houston