Here’s a building that looks lovely in night lighting. Lots of architectural detail in contrast to the night.
I think this is a Cal Trans office. I believe they moved here from the former shampoo factory in the Mountain Lakes Industrial Park. A building we recall as Jhirmac, long ago. In relocation, I heard they saved this building’s owner from financial peril, since it was recently built and had no tenants in our present harsh economy. Vacancy is a bad thing indeed for spec building. Getting Cal Trans there was quite the prize. Unfortunately for the owner of the now vacated shampoo building, the financial peril transferred to them. Without much warning, either. Or so I’ve heard. Anyway, this downtown Redding building is quite lovely at night.
Architecture by the warm orange glow of sodium lighting, it’s Really Redding.
Live recording -Craig Padilla’s “Sundial Bridge”
Here’s a live recording of Sundial Bridge by Craig Padilla. It was recorded on the patio of the cafe of the south end of the bridge. It’s about 20 minutes of symphonic electronic music. It starts off quietly, until it begins to soar. I accompanied Craig, and ran audio. There is no mic on the audience, but you do hear our voices briefly at the very end.
Sundial bridge2 by SkipMurphy 
The Sundial Bridge has arguably become the symbol of Redding CA. The architect for the bridge is a world famous artist named Santiago Calatrava, although I don’t see this particular work listed on his website. I haven’t looked through the whole site.
The folks at the host Turtle Bay Museum seemed happy to have us play there. The venue was really hot (thermal hot, not swinging hot) and it’s not acoustically great for either listeners or players. And for an art museum, the staff seemed really unimpressed that world famous musician Craig Padilla had composed a complete symphonic music composition named after the bridge, just for the occasion. Like, “Yeah, that’s nice.”
Anyway, I came across the recording in the studio, and thought I’d share it with the world again. At least, that part of the world that wasn’t at the event. Like any live recording, it has some issues, but I think the spirit of the muse comes across intact. See what you think.
Sikh Center in Anderson
This type of architecture is not commonly seen in buildings of worship around here. This is the Sikh Center in Anderson. There is also a Sikh Temple nearby, pictured below. I found this on their website:
“With Waheguru’s grace Dr. Harvinder Singh Birk got a vision of setting up Gurudwara Sahib near Redding CA by donating 8 Acres of Land for this noble cause. This Sikh Center Gurudwara will be the First one in the Redding area, which is about 150 miles North of Sacramento in the foothills of mountains and in the near vicinity of Mount Shasta.
I didn’t know much about the Sikh faith when I started this post, but this information from Wikipedia provided a good overview. Here’s a snippet:
Sikhism believes in one supreme God. The Sikh school of thought started by Guru Nanak teaches gender and race equality, sharing, working hard and honestly, being honest, contentment, selfless service, talking sweetly, worshiping naam, good etiquette, tradition, prayer, meditation, the concept of miri-piri, the concept of the saint-soldier/warrior, remembering God all the time in all actions, keeping in good company, proper sexual conduct, the life of a house person instead of becoming a celibate monk and rejecting the world, compassion, faith, justice, mastery, righteous actions, bravery, courage, love for God, humility, salvation, the afterlife, the law of karma (karam) which is counteracted by dharma (dharam), charity, and good will to humanity.
Sounds like Sikhs have a lot in common with the other faiths that make up the rich tapestry of our local community spirituality. Plus this lovely architecture for the temple, or gurdwara. Again from Wikipedia:
There are no idols, statues, or religious pictures in a Gurdwara, but the essential feature of a gurdwara is the presiding presence of the holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib. The Sikhs hold high respect for the commandments laid down in the Guru Granth Sahib.
It’s ReallyRedding.
First Baptist Church of Redding
Built in 1952. The First Baptist Church of Redding had already worshiped in couple of other big church buildings prior to building this one over their 120 year history in Redding. Here’s how it looked in the 50’s, an image courtesy of the Shasta Historical Society.
The RS ran a series of photographs of the First Baptist Church of Redding that’s well done, and worth a look. There’s also a nice write up of Baptists in general at Wikipedia. Interesting information. This particular congregation doesn’t seem to be online anywhere I could find.
This church building on Eureka Way reflects the architecture of the times. There are a few buildings out that way that look similar, including U Prep, and this other church on Eureka Way that has been transformed into a medical office. I think you could also include the remodeled Pine Street School farther east as similar. I describe the architecture as a cross between Mission and Mediterranean, but perhaps there is some other name for the style. When Redding recently decided to adopted a cheesy “50’s Glitz” theme to foist on local business as our preferred style for downtown, I was really wishing that this already evident 50’s Mission/Mediterranean style was the preferred theme instead. With smooth, off-white walls, and Spanish tile roofs, these timeless buildings look elegant and classy. Plus, it’s a style well suited to our climate. It’s Really Redding.
CalPERS headquarters makes a big impression
Readers at Bruce Ross’ blog recently caught wind of the looming financial crisis facing California Pension funds. Last week in Sacramento, we walked by the CalPERS building and it made quite an impression.
It’s a lovely building. Still, the central glass tower seems to serve no function other than providing full time glass cleaning jobs. As art, it’s beautiful. As a symbol, it doesn’t speak of thrift, or frugality, or savings, or any of those qualities one might associate with a retirement program. Such architectural hubris is not at all uncommon among big banks and securities firms, but this glass palace seems over-the-top for offices of state bureaucrats. But then, obviously they don’t see themselves as such, do they? The building speaks much louder than words.
This disconnect probably wouldn’t have caught my attention, were it not for the frustration of knowing we are unable to even do as much as house our police department in an abandoned shampoo factory in Redding. Or, that our city council appears to have been bullied into not buying a decent new office building across from city hall for 1/4 of what it cost to build it. In my opinion, this is such as missed opportunity. All it would take would be a few pieces of office furniture such as cubicles and the office space would be able to be used as a fully functioning headquarters.
I really do think things need to change in this regard. There are no doubts about it, office space is vital, even if all you do is fit out a head office. But a small, poor office is not going to help your business, so it’s important to improve upon this, and ensure that you can do better. However, it seems that private investors knew better than to pass that one up. Too bad CalPERS couldn’t have invested in either building. It would appear they have some money to throw around. I guess it’s who you know that counts.
Pilgrim Congregational Church and Frank Lloyd Wright
The Pilgrim Congregational Church in Redding is a unique and significant building. It was designed in 1958 by world famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
” If it is true that architecture reflects the people that produce it, their life, faith, hopes and fears, the following comments will be helpful for the architect’s preparation.
There followed a description of Our Faith, Our Heritage, and Our Cultural Crisis and Position in Time. Some of the significant items were these: We believe that creative architecture will make people aware of the resources of our Christian faith. Men thirst for God and are particularly desperate in our time. For many people God is transcendent and distant. Our building ought then to reflect the intimacy and eminence of God as well as his majesty. Man, if we correctly evaluate his predicament, feels incomplete, fragmentary, and anxious. Our church ought then to enhance his desire for wholeness, and develop his capacity to fulfill his divine destiny and confirm his nature as a potential child of God.”
It’s a lovely paragraph. So interesting, that phrase “particularly desperate in our time.” 1958 seems rather idyllic when compared to 2010, but such is the nature of our perception of the present. When the resulting architecture is viewed in the context of the congregation’s stated intention, it truly is inspirational. You can read more about the present day Pilgrim Congregation here.
The church building is an understated testament as to how great architecture can capture nobility and yet remain humble. The angularity, the natural stone in concrete, the low slung ship-like main structure suspended beneath bone white cantilevered ribs, all of it integrates the intention of the architect and the Redding congregation.
When I used to work in Chicago and New York, I saw many examples of Frank Lloyd Wright’s work and influence. We are graced to have this particularly spiritual example in our community. You can read more about his designs for sacred spaces here, and find a site devoted to art of Frank Lloyd Wright at the link.
The existing church is only 20% of the original intended structure. How can we complete the vision?
The newer Sundial Bridge has become the architectural symbol of Redding. It’s a bold piece of soaring bravado. I think this church captures a more representational expression of our community and setting. I could take pictures of this all day long. It’s Really Redding.
Ideas will not work unless you do
A wise thought seen today at this landmark Redding Church. The striking pyramid form located the top of Placer is visible for miles around town. The First Presbytarians have a website HERE. They have been active in Redding for over 130 years.
New and old views. Old photos courtesy of the Shasta Historical Society. Consider joining us.