Convergences

I am astounded at how our modern American culture has absorbed the mysticism and symbolism of earlier, greater cultures. The obelisk is usually a monument for death (the Egyptians were obsessed with death), but here it is a celebration in the middle of our country's capital, looking out of place. Most of the buildings tend towards the Greek and Roman tradition rather the Egyptian. Oh well.




The dome of Building 10 also really reminds me of the Pantheon from Rome. The steps on the side add extra weight so the building can support the weight of the dome itself. While the columns at MIT are Ionian, the Pantheon has Corinthian columns. The dome here also has the Greek triglyphs and metopes just below the beginning of the dome. The small Gothic lion heads just above the columns are puzzling too. The mix of architectural history here forms an interesting relationship to the purpose of MIT.




The insides of the domes look similar too, with the scalloped dome walls to lessen the weight. MIT's dome does not have the skylight. Also note that here, Corinthian columns are used while for the lobby of Building 10, the outer steps of Building 10, and in the lobby of Building 7, Ionian columns are used. Plus the entrance to the SSC uses Doric columns. I don't really like this lack of consistency.