Seat of the Universal House of Justice
From Bahaikipedia
The Seat of the Universal House of Justice is the building located in Haifa, Israel where the Universal House of Justice, the centre of the covenant, sits. It is a large building where the House of Justice can meet dignitaries and pilgrims, and attend to other business. It also houses a few other offices of the World Centre.
Located at the apex of The Arc and built with sixty Corinthian columns around it to mirror the design of the International Archives. The architect was Hossein Amanat and it was completed in 1982 during the second stage of building on the Arc, to be occupied in 1983.
During a Bahá'í pilgrimage the members of the Universal House of Justice greet each of the pilgrims in turn before they are shown around main areas of the building.
[edit] History
In view of the importance attaching to the Universal House of Justice as the Supreme Institution in the Faith--the Guardian had referred to it as the 'apex of the administrative order' and 'the supreme organ of the Bahá'í World Commonwealth'--it became evident that the building which was to serve as its permanent seat should be more prominent, more imposing and larger than the other buildings, but should compose with them a harmonious and beautiful precinct. In the light of Shoghi Effendi's allusion to the Universal House of Justice as the crowning institution of the administrative order it seemed in conformity with the spirit of the writings to consider the building as a majestic crown adorning the great institutions around the arc on Mount Carmel. Such a building would have to be not only functional but should also reflect the heavenly manifestations of the World Order of Bahá'u'lláh; that is to say, that while serving all the purposes normally required of an administrative centre, it should suggest in its architecture something of the spiritual importance and majesty of the supreme administrative institution of Bahá'u'lláh's World Order which it houses. On seeing the building one should feel more than an aesthetic response; the structure should convey intimations of the beauty and majesty of the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh.
The beloved Guardian had stated that the buildings around the arc were to follow a harmonizing style of architecture, a style which he himself established by building the International Archives in the classical Ionic order. This demanded that the architecture of the remaining buildings be classical, or of a contemporary style incorporating principles of classical architecture; and since the building for the Universal House of Justice had to be more imposing, larger and more majestic than the other edifices to be built around the arc, it was felt appropriate to adopt the Corinthian order. Initially in the schemes proposed to the Universal House of Justice were included a design in the modern style with consideration given to classical proportions and principles, and one of pure classical style, which was accepted.
It would seem that the air of tranquility and peace so apparent in the gardens and sacred precincts of the Holy Places would require the buildings to be erected in the area to have some degree of detail and fine work. The poetry and delicacy incorporated in the fine details of the Corinthian Order seemed to be an appropriate answer inspired by the existing atmosphere.
This building is to be situated on the axis of the arc at its highest and most prominent point, the main facade and the entrance looking out across the bay towards the Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh. Its relationship in importance to the other buildings on the arc will be clearly stated by its location as well as by architectural details and by its size and height. Tall fluted Corinthian columns will adorn the arcade which surrounds the building. At the point of the axis of the arc, at the entrance to the building, there will be a portico projecting forward from the colonnade, supported by six additional columns. From this portico a flight of wide steps will lead down to the arc and to the path going to the International Archives. The proportion of this six-columned portico is the deciding factor establishing the relationship of harmony and proportion with the International Archives building. At the same time the depth and height of the portico will recall similar porticos in Persian architecture, and the space it provides will give the impression of inviting all to enter. Above the main door through which guests and pilgrims will enter, is the spacious window of the room in which the House of Justice will meet. This Council Chamber also faces towards the Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh; it is the heart of the whole building and is crowned by the dome. Like many domes in eastern architecture, the dome of this building is based on an octagon in the heart of the building itself with an interesting system of integration with the geometry of the length and breadth of the building.
The building will be faced with white marble, and the columns and dome will be of the same kind of marble. The geometrical design, in terms of proportion and size, was considered in relation to the existing structures as well as to the surrounding gardens. The building covers an area of sixty-eight by thirty-six metres, with eighteen columns on each long side and ten on each of the others. The height of the building is about fourteen metres, and from the base to the top of the dome will be twenty-five metres. The dome is deliberately not designed in a more prominent form in order not to compete with the beautiful dome of the Shrine of the Báb. The roof will have green glazed tiles similar to those used on the International Archives building, and will offer harmonious glimpses from the gardens above.
The interior of the building is essentially simple. The structural design has provided for installation in the future, as may become necessary, of new technological requirements; in other words, if advanced technology requires the installation of any particular piece of new machinery or equipment in the building, this can be done without alteration or difficulty.
In addition to the Council Chamber of the House of Justice, a reception hall for pilgrims and important visitors, a conference room, and space for the immediate secretariat of the House of Justice have been provided.
The slope of the mountain made it possible to build a basement and a sub-basement between the foundations and the main ground floor; therefore the building will have five and a half storeys, with a total surface of 11,000 square metres. One of these lower storeys will provide a secondary service entrance which will be used daily by those who work in the building. In the other there is adequate space to build a vault to safeguard original Tablets and manuscripts; air-conditioning and other scientific devices for the preservation of documents will be provided.
Once the design had been approved, studies began for the execution of the work. The first problem was the choice of the stone and its carving. After a very detailed study it was decided that Pentelikon marble from Greece, quarried near Athens, was the best possible stone for this building; this is the same stone as that used in the Acropolis. The blocks of marble from Greece were shipped to Italy where they were carved and cut and then re-shipped to Haifa.
The structural core or skeleton of the building is to be of reinforced concrete. The latest electric lighting and air-conditioning systems will be installed.
A parking area is designed to the east of the building, cut into the slope of the mountain in such a way that it will be hidden by the gardens, and no automobiles will be seen around the building. Access to this parking area as well as to the service entrance is from a road which touches the boundary of the Bahá'í land on the east, and all traffic to the building will be from this eastern road. Thus the serenity of the beautiful arc gardens will not be disturbed.
[edit] References
- The Universal House of Justice [1974]. The Bahá'í World - An Internationl Record Vol XVI 1973-1973 pages 399-404. Great Britain: University Press, Oxford.
