The “Roofless Church”, designed by 20th century architect Philip Johnson, is the anchor point for a new development on CNDG Estate – the Architectural Parks.

CNDG continues to refine and develop its unique approach to recreating, in exacting detail, real-world architectural masterpieces as usable spaces in Second Life, aiming to preserve our shared architectural heritage, create more enriched and beautiful content in Second Life, and expand the possible venues in which businesses and individuals can enjoy their Second Life experience.

The first of these “Architectural Parks” is devoted to the creation of a sampling of 20th century architectural masterworks.

In 1960 architect Philip Johnson created a paved court above which floats a fifty-foot high lobed dome, covered with cedar shingles. Within this dome is the statue of "The Descent of the Holy Spirit" by Jacques Lipchitz. A balcony at one side of the paved court looks out over the valley of the Wabash River. 

This structure was difficult to build in reality, and was equally challenging to recreate in Second Life, requiring a very precise use of the three-dimensional modeling techniques of “Sculpty Making” and the use of sophisticated CAD/CAM modeling software.  Each of the curved elements of the structure must be able to be viewed from 360 degrees, and must give the impression of depth and of thickness as well as the rich texture of the original wood.

Employing the services of some of the best Sculpty modelers in Second Life, CNDG has recreated this structure as an example of the use of free form, and “thinking out of the box” that characterized so much of the great 20th innovation in building. 

Alan Ritchie, of PJAR Architects, was Philip Johnson’s senior partner in Philip Johnson Architects for the last period of Johnson’s life.  He knew both the man and his work and labored alongside Philip Johnson for decades.  He has, in PJAR Architects, continued the traditions of their firm – both in creating bold new designs and in breaking the barriers of conventional thinking.

Alan describes the New Harmony (Indiana, USA) “Roofless Church” as an exercise in redefining sacred space.   He states that Philip Johnson, with this bold move, changed forever the way we see “enclosures.”  CNDG has recreated the “Roofless Church” so that this radical expansion of our view of how space can be defined will be available for all to see.  It can be experienced by anyone on our estate in Second Life by traveling using the SLURL provided.