Inside the Rib Cage Lies a Resilient Heart

Inside the Rib Cage Lies a Resilient Heart. NYC, USA. July 2016. 

Oculus, this distinctively Calatrava creation, is an intriguing addition to downtown NYC. Was it over-budget and is it unconventional? Absolutely. However if there is one American city that can showcase a piece of non-conformist architecture, it is New York. I love the glean of the white marble, the natural light that pours in through the spine of the rib cage, and the grandeur of the empty space. The steel ribs give me the feeling of walking through a modern day cloister and, to me, it is a fitting sentiment for this particular site. 

It is a busy transit hub, but catching it in a quiet moment between trains allows you to appreciate the size, scale, and location of the project. I found the second floor to be the best place for some contemplation and observation. While many would say it does not fit in with the skyline, I would argue that inside this rib cage lies the resilient heart of the city; commuters and observers give Oculus breath and life and they are the beating heart of New York.

Oculus to the Sky

Oculus to the Sky. Rome, Italy. January 2009. 

I studied in Rome the summer of 2003 and returned six years later with my sister Tracie. The Pantheon is on every visitor's 'must see' list and for good reason. Perhaps it's the Libra in me, but I love the Pantheon for its symmetry and balance. The dome was constructed in a way where a perfect sphere would fit underneath it. The distance from the ground to the oculus is 142 ft (43.3 m) and the diameter at the base of the dome is also 142 ft, so you can imagine a giant globe taking up the interior of the building. The oculus is also the main source of natural light and as the sun moves so does the beam, shining a spotlight on various parts of the interior throughout the day. It's beautiful to witness.