Showing posts with label E. Fay Jones architecture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label E. Fay Jones architecture. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Bella Vista (exterior), Ozarks, architect E. Fay Jones

Bella Vista
Ozarks Region

http://www.arkansas.com/places-to-go/cities-and-towns/city-detail.aspx?city=Bella+Vista


Mildred B. Cooper Chapel, Bella Vista

Established in 1965, Bella Vista is a recreational community of about 24,000 people that offers a picturesque, activity-based lifestyle. Bella Vista has over $35 million in recreational amenities - including golf courses, 12 lighted tennis courts, eight lakes, swimming pools, paved nature trails, playgrounds and more. Golf is a big draw with eight, championship-quality courses available for play. Country clubs and theater are also popular.

Use of most amenities is managed by the Bella Vista Property Owners Association, a private organization that acts as the village's local government. The association charges property owners a monthly assessment for use of the facilities.

While it has primarily been an affluent retirement area, recent growth has diversified it with young couples and families. It was the first of a successful group of communities to be developed by John Cooper, founder of Cooper Communities.

Built in honor of Cooper's wife, the Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel in Bella Vista was created by renowned Arkansas architect E. Fay Jones. In 1991, Jones was awarded the American Institute of Architecture's highest award, the AIA Gold Metal. Designed to fit the environment, the Chapel contains large glass windows, bringing light, shadows and each season into the space.

It is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week or by reservation for special ceremonies - weddings, renewal of vows, concerts, cultural events, baptisms and memorial services. Jones created another well-known architectural chapel, Thorncrown Chapel, in the Victorian spa town of Eureka Springs.

Tucked into the rolling hills of the Ozarks, the northwest Arkansas area consists of extensive hardwood forests, primarily oak and hickory that shelter large populations of wild deer, turkey, squirrels, birds, and other native animal species.

In Benton County, Bella Vista is located on Ark. 71 between Bentonville and the Missouri state line.

Monday, March 24, 2014

E. Fay Jones architecture, Bella Vista & Design Details (Chaseburg blog)

http://chaseburg.blogspot.com/2012/07/que-bella-vista.html?showComment=1395638538364#c113894440223402315

This blog entry has the some of the most detailed and inspiring photos and information I've found yet. Gracias, amiga!

WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 2012


QUE BELLA VISTA...


E. Fay Jones is the reknowned architect of two architectural beauties in Northwest Arkansas.
Our group visited one of these Monday which was the Mildred B. Cooper’s Chapel in Bella Vista and que bella vista it truly is!

“I saw opportunity here to create architecture. The distinction I am making is that all building isn’t architecture, just as all writing isn’t literature or poetry, even though the spelling, “I saw opportunity here to create architecture. The distinction I am making is that all building isn’t architecture, just as all writing isn’t literature or poetry, even though the spelling, grammar, and “I saw opportunity here to create architecture. The distinction I am making is that all building isn’t architecture, just as all writing isn’t literature or poetry, even though the spelling, grammar and syntax might be correct. There is something in architecture that touches people in a special way,and I hoped to do that with this chapel"-Jones

I'd say that Mr. Jones did indeed accomplish what he set out to do as he did 'touch' me with the beauty of his design of the Chapel nestled in the woods. In fact the structure looks like it has always been here.

Fay's design rules included leaving the environment undisturbed as much as possible, a principle of ‘organic architecture.’ No structural element could be larger than what two men could carry through the woods. Building materials included pressure treated pine 2x4s, 2x6s, and 2x12 s mostly. The trusses were assembled on the floor and raised into place.

These trusses and the surrounding trees make the light and shadows play inside and outside the chapel. The resulting patterns change not only with the time of day but also by the season. Therefore, the structure never looks quite the same.
Fay's internship with the great architect Frank Lloyd Wright and his influence is apparent in Fay's design elements in the building’s use of natural elements and the linear features even down to the embellishments on the chapel's floor lights.
This same design is repeated in the path lights leading to the chapel.

The Cooper Family's desire was to create a spiritual setting. Mr. Fay certainly accomplished their desires. What a legacy he has left making Bella Vista even more bella!