The foyer (first lower level) will be a flat hall surrounded
by an oriental-style colonnade. The dominant colour of
this level will be yellow. The floor will be similar to that
of the Temple Dome.
This level (as well as the one below it) will be surrounded
on the outside by a luminous blue aquarium containing
a variety of sea life.*
The circular aquarium and the
first lower level will be separated only by strong glass
walls so that visitors standing in the foyer will see the
blue light emanating from the water with its colourful
creatures beyond the yellow colonnade. At times, this
blue, luminous water may be the only source of light for
the first lower level.
The foyer will contain a spiral staircase down to the second
lower level and up to the Temple Dome (see: The
Snail Shell Staircase). It will also have the subterranean
main public entrance to the events, which will be accessed
from an adjacent building, continuing below ground
and through the aquarium via a great glass tube.
The Temple Dome is the heart of the Temple of the
Muses. The dome will be built mainly of glass and will
be overgrown with green plants. It will be situated in
the midst of a dense, wild forest.
The ground level will have a circular, beige and white
floor and will seat up to 800 guests on portable chairs
(including the stages and entrances…).
The glass dome and its specific shape will, among other
things:
create very special light conditions due to the diffused
light shining through the foliage. The different positions
of the sun, variable cloudiness, dusk and moonlit
darkness will all be experiences in themselves.
have singular acoustics, in which all
*
frequencies uniformly
echo and reflect back amplified.
give visitors a sense of security and a sense of vastness at the same time.
These are all aspects that may greatly help visitors to the
Temple Dome to open up and let go, thus fulfilling the
Purpose of the Temple of the Muses. The Temple
Dome will usually not contain chairs. It
will be sparsely furnished and decorated.
Its simplicity will contribute greatly to its
effect. The Temple Dome will have one
main entrance consisting of two huge,
upright stone slabs in a slightly staggered
position to each other. Before these slabs
there will be a clearing in the forest, and
they will be the only part of the dome
that can be seen. The rest will be so over
grown by dense forest cover that it will
hardly be noticeable, or even imaginable.
The spiral snail shell staircase not only serves as a footpath
from one floor to the next, as an addition to the
lift; its structure is similar to the human ear, to snail and
mollusc shells, to some holographic spirals and to dancing
snakes. Passing through this structure enables people,
perhaps unconsciously, to go through a process that
will be significant for the next time on Earth: It combines
the vertical, linear line that has been so important
for the last thousands of years with the horizontal, circular
line that women are reintroducing, creating an
impulse for change and development almost beyond the
bounds of time and leading to an almost non-exausting
movement.*
The foyer (first lower level) will be a flat hall surrounded
by an oriental-style colonnade. The dominant colour of
this level will be yellow. The floor will be similar to that
of the Temple Dome.
This level (as well as the one below it) will be surrounded
on the outside by a luminous blue aquarium containing
a variety of sea life.*
The circular aquarium and the
first lower level will be separated only by strong glass
walls so that visitors standing in the foyer will see the
blue light emanating from the water with its colourful
creatures beyond the yellow colonnade. At times, this
blue, luminous water may be the only source of light for
the first lower level.
Should the need arise, the foyer may contain portable
glass cubicles in which certain P.R. or administrative activities
may be carried out or where supporting events,
procedures or services may take place in connection with
larger events.
The foyer will contain a spiral staircase down to the second
lower level and up to the Temple Dome (see: The
Snail Shell Staircase). It will also have the subterranean
main public entrance to the events, which will be accessed
from an adjacent building, continuing below ground
and through the aquarium via a great glass tube.
The entire Temple building is an egg, a beautiful shape,
even though only one part (the larger "half" of the golden
section) will rise out of the Earth, and even this will
be mysteriously overgrown with abundant foliage.
Within the Temple, however, this shape of newly developing
life will be sensed by visitors everywhere. Since
there will be no dividing walls, the outside walls will be
visible on every level from every perspective, and can be
touched from almost anywhere.
In contrast to Romanesque statics, in which the tendency
to fall down had to be offset by using masses of building
material, and to Gothic statics, in which the tendency
to fall apart was countered by using buttresses, the
stability and harmony of the egg-shaped form exists
through the current of momentum (static course of the
force lines) within the girders, which can be calculated
and measured. So, the egg-shape is not only a symbol of
balance and wholeness, but its physical manifestation.
The entire building will serve the two main functions,
and will therefore remain simple and flexible in its
design so that the creations that take place within will
be given as much constructional freedom as possible.
All four levels as well as the forest clearing in front of
the entrance may be used for events. From the above
conceptual outline, it should be clear that the
Temple Dome is mainly intended to be used
The level of the "tenth muse" (second lower level) is the
province of hospitality:
Good gastronomy
*, ranging from inexpensive and simple
fast fare to gourmet dining, where the stage technicians
setting up in the morning can find a decent
meal just as well as the theatregoers in the evening.
A beautiful, Mediterranean ambience steeped in orange
and beige tones, containing comfortable sitting
areas, small tables, (real) potted palms and vases of
flower arrangements. It will have a stage where soloists,
small bands and cabaret entertainers can create a
magical mood.
From this level it will be possible to view the activities in
the amphitheatre below (rehearsals, setting up stage,
workshops…) through a great glass bubble in the floor.
This glass bubble may be removed or opened if required.
Musicians, for instance, could use it during concerts so
that music could filter down to the amphitheatre from
above. In such a case, gastronomic activities on this level
would be halted during the performance, or they could
be integrated somehow. The huge outer windows on
this level look out upon the lower metres of the surrounding
luminous blue aquarium with its tropical flora and
fauna, ranging from coral to large fish.
The amphitheatre is the lowest level, the base of the
Temple "egg". As the name suggests, its form, acoustics
and function will recall antique multi-purpose theatre
sites. The main stage will be in the centre, the lowest
point of the entire building. The adjoining side stage will
be tiered, leading up to the outside wall and a freight
lift. It will comprise 1/8th of the entire circle (45°). The
other 7/8ths will be for tiered seats and aisles. The
colours of the third lower level will mainly be shades of
red, ranging from brilliant fire engine red to maroon.
There will be a great, round hole in the ceiling (see: "The Level of the Tenth Muse") which will usually be covered by a soundproof glass bubble. This hole may also have a
lightproof covering so that the gastronomic activities
(on the second lower level) and the performances on the
third lower level can take place simultaneously without
interfering with each other. The hole can also be opened
for the use of musicians and actors, for the purpose of
lighting and special effects, etc.. At such times, gastronomic
activities can be halted, or the restaurants and their
seats can be integrated into the performance.