The World's Architecture and How to Enjoy It

Raleigh architect Emy Louie's fascination with church and temple architecture started when she was an architecture student in Europe. "In Rome, there is almost one church on every block," she recalls. "My recent travels to India also inspired me." Louie's own architectural exploration has culminated in an introductory architectural appreciation course for lay people that will be taught beginning Sunday through Duke University Continuing Education. Students will look at notable places of worship spanning the last 4,000 years. The design of a working place of worship has a lot to tell us about ourselves, says Louie, a former chairperson for Triangle Women in Architecture. "For example, multi-media services have been integrated into many congregations," she says. "We seek flexibility and yet familiarity." Louie's course, "A Brief History of Temple and Church Architecture," will explore notable architectural styles through history. It will be taught over four consecutive Sunday afternoons on Duke's East Campus. The emphasis will be on relating ancient and classical designs to present-day places of worship. The most timeless elements found in church and temple architecture -- soaring spaces and the manipulation of light -- form a powerful physical influence on worshipers, she said. Stained glass windows have long held appeal for their ability to filter light, which signifies enlightenment. Stone features are often incorporated to signify the solidity of life and values. Looking at the local architectural scene, Louie finds herself attracted to the new Freeman Center for Jewish Life on Duke's campus and St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Raleigh. She said both are examples of how innovations in building materials and construction can be translated into different architectural languages. Louie said she believes her course has implications for the future of church and temple architecture. She says she will look at how architects can better relate their designs to the congregation, most specifically by having a variety of spaces and thus activities to participate in. The Duke Office of Continuing Education and Summer Session is also offering a number of other new short courses this winter. They include:

• "Introduction to Video Editing" with award-winning documentary producers Kenny Dalsheimer and Marty Rosenbluth on Feb. 14 - March 17;
• "Personal Histories: Exploring the Self Through Family Photographs" with Susan Page and Dawn K. Dreyer of Duke's Center for Documentary Studies on March 14 - May 2;
• "Making Change: Behavioral Finance for Your Future" with financial planner Dorothy Lebeau on March 3; and
• "Documenting Jazz," a companion course to filmmaker Ken Burns's PBS series, "Jazz," with instructor Sam Stephenson, a National Endowment for the Humanities fellow, meeting Feb. 6 - March 27.

For more information or to receive a course catalog, contact the Duke Office of Continuing Education and Summer Session at (919) 684-6259 or on the web.