On SURVEILLANCE architecture

 

Psalm 127:1

King James Version

127 Except the Lord build the house, 

they labour in vain that build it: 

except the Lord keep the city, 

the watchman waketh but in vain.

This will be a short feature on surveillance architecture.

No, not on the design of cctv's and all that.

But more on the shape of buildings.

And what is housed in those structures.

A few come to mind:

Jeremy Bentham and Willey Reveley's "panopticon":

"Bentham commissioned drawings from an architect, Willey Reveley. Bentham reasoned that if the prisoners of the panopticon prison could be seen but never knew when they were watched, the prisoners would need to follow the rules. Bentham also thought that Reveley's prison design could be used for factories, asylums, hospitals, and schools."

-- Wikipedia

America's "NSA":

"The main NSA headquarters and operations building is what James Bamford, author of Body of Secrets, describes as "a modern boxy structure" that appears similar to "any stylish office building."[161] The building is covered with one-way dark glass, which is lined with copper shielding in order to prevent espionage by trapping in signals and sounds."

-- Wikipedia

UK's "The Doughnut":

"The Doughnut is the nickname given (due to its resemblance to a doughnut) to the headquarters of the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ),[1][3] a British cryptography and intelligence agency. It is located on a 71 hectares (176 acres) site in Benhall, in the suburbs of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, in South West England."

-- Wikipedia

America's "33 Thomas Street":

"33 Thomas Street (formerly the AT&T Long Lines Building) is a 550-foot-tall (170 m) windowless skyscraper in the Tribeca neighborhood of Lower Manhattan in New York City, New York, United States... Designed in the Brutalist architectural style, it is a telephone exchange or wire center building which contained three major 4ESS switches used for interexchange (long distance) telephony, as well as a number of other switches used for competitive local exchange carrier services. "

-- Wikipedia

Curiously-shaped buildings, right?

Surely, it's for both function, and form.

As student of architecture, we were asked to think on those two.

Not enough times.

Form, versus function.

Which matters more in our digital surveillance societies?

Why the surveillance at all?

Who are we spying on?

What privacy have we got left?

What about you?

What is your occupation?

What is your pre-occupation?

May it be of the LORD, instead of the world.

Ephesians 5:11-12

King James Version

11 And have no fellowship 

with the unfruitful works of darkness, 

but rather reprove them.

12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things 

which are done of them in secret.

Colossians 3:1-2

King James Version

3 If ye then be risen with Christ, 

seek those things which are above, 

where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

2 Set your affection on things above, 

not on things on the earth.

1 John 2:15-16

King James Version

15 Love not the world, 

neither the things that are in the world. 

If any man love the world, 

the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world, 

the lust of the flesh, 

and the lust of the eyes, 

and the pride of life, 

is not of the Father, 

but is of the world.

1 John 2:17

King James Version

17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: 

but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Related material:

JESUS sees THROUGH us

The way of nations

Sins of society

On NOT spying

born again looks at tech

Image: Clipart Library

All other images: Wikipedia

Now I UNDERSTAND

 

2 Corinthians 5:1

King James Version

5 For we know that if our earthly house 

of this tabernacle were dissolved, 

we have a building of God, 

an house not made with hands, 

eternal in the heavens.

GOD made me study Architecture for a reason.

He made my father make me take it up.

He made me love writing.

He made me think independently.

He made me do research on my own.

He made me figure things out on my own.

He made me study, instead of socialize.

So many things make sense now.

Like I just finished listening to Amir Tsarfati's sermon:

"The Next Temple"

Now, it's clearer than ever.

There was a first temple.

A second temple.

A third temple to come.

And a fourth temple in the future.

Many of the things Tsarfati said, ties up with where SPIRIT led me.

With the NEW Jerusalem, there will be no need for a temple.

Revelation 21:3

King James Version

3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, 

Behold, 

the tabernacle of God is with men, 

and he will dwell with them, 

and they shall be his people, 

and God himself shall be with them, 

and be their God.

Revelation 21:22

King James Version

22 And I saw no temple therein: 

for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb 

are the temple of it.

My soul knew there would be no need for structures one day.

Perhaps, that's why I've never really been interested in structural engineering.

Or anything that pertained to construction.

Much less catering to people's egos.

Now, I know why.

John 4:24

King James Version

24 God is a Spirit: 

and they that worship him 

must worship him in spirit and in truth.

GOD made me take up Architecture, through my father.

That I may know ancient and modern structures.

That's how I got to know about builders and architects.

That's how I got to know about primitive "mounds".

That's how I got to know Greek, Egyptian, and Roman structures.

Such as the Parthenon, the pyramids, and the Vatican.

All useful to my Scripture studies under SPIRIT now.

I've always loved "theory", now it's all "practice".

GOD mad me take up Architecture, for another reason.

That I may know about "perspective".

That I may see from many "points of view".

As born again, I now see from GOD's point of view.

And that's all that matters.

Proverbs 29:18

King James Version

18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: 

but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

He made me love studying, and writing.

That I may be a good student to SPIRIT.

He wanted me to share GOD's WORD with you.

2 Timothy 2:15

King James Version

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, 

a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, 

rightly dividing the word of truth.

All these things only make sense, when GOD makes you born again.

Now, I know I was really doing something right, early on.

Even if it seemed contrary to how the world ran.

I never wanted to be caught up with its ways.

As if, on a deeper level, I know I shouldn't.

Who was guiding me then?

Surely, it was the SPIRIT of GOD.

Isaiah 30:21

King James Version

21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, 

saying, 

This is the way, walk ye in it, 

when ye turn to the right hand, 

and when ye turn to the left.

Everything I did had to be clear, simple, easy, purposeful, thoughtful, caring, fuss-free, economical, and efficient.

My motor really ran differently, even when I was a kid.

Now it really makes so much sense, all my curious ways.

I'm eternally grateful GOD saved me.

That I may be of use to GOD, and you.

All that I was, is all that I really am.

According to GOD's will.

For He had a purpose.

Related material:

Lessons from Architecture

Image: Clipart Lbrary

How GOD builds

 

Isaiah 55:8-9

King James Version

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, 

neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, 

so are my ways higher than your ways, 

and my thoughts than your thoughts.

How does GOD build?

What does He build?

In contrast, how does man build?

What does he build?

JESUS puts structures in perspective.

With this powerful statement:

Luke 21:5-6

King James Version

5 And as some spake of the temple, 

how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, 

he said,

6 As for these things which ye behold, 

the days will come, 

in the which there shall not be left 

one stone upon another, 

that shall not be thrown down.

Here's how GOD builds:

2 Corinthians 5:1-2

King James Version

5 For we know that if our earthly house 

of this tabernacle were dissolved, 

we have a building of God, 

an house not made with hands, 

eternal in the heavens.

2 For in this we groan, 

earnestly desiring to be clothed upon 

with our house which is from heaven:

Hebrews 3:4

King James Version

4 For every house is builded by some man; 

but he that built all things is God.

Revelation 21:9-21

King James Version

9 And there came unto me 

one of the seven angels which had the seven vials 

full of the seven last plagues, 

and talked with me, saying, 

Come hither, 

I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.

10 And he carried me away in the spirit 

to a great and high mountain, 

and shewed me that great city, 

the holy Jerusalem, 

descending out of heaven from God,

11 Having the glory of God: 

her light was like unto a stone most precious, 

even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;

12 And had a wall great and high, 

and had twelve gates, 

and at the gates twelve angels, 

and names written thereon, 

which are the names of the twelve tribes 

of the children of Israel:

13 On the east three gates; 

on the north three gates; 

on the south three gates; 

and on the west three gates.

14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, 

and in them the names 

of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

15 And he that talked with me 

had a golden reed to measure the city, 

and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.

16 And the city lieth foursquare, 

and the length is as large as the breadth: 

and he measured the city with the reed, 

twelve thousand furlongs*. 

The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.

17 And he measured the wall thereof, 

an hundred and forty and four cubits**, 

according to the measure of a man, 

that is, of the angel.

18 And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: 

and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.

19 And the foundations of the wall of the city 

were garnished with all manner of precious stones. 

The first foundation was jasper; 

the second, sapphire; 

the third, a chalcedony; 

the fourth, an emerald;

20 The fifth, sardonyx; 

the sixth, sardius; 

the seventh, chrysolyte; 

the eighth, beryl; 

the ninth, a topaz; 

the tenth, a chrysoprasus; 

the eleventh, a jacinth; 

the twelfth, an amethyst.

21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: 

every several gate was of one pearl: 

and the street of the city was pure gold, 

as it were transparent glass.

Here's how man builds:

Genesis 11:1-4

King James Version

11 And the whole earth was of one language, 

and of one speech.

2 And it came to pass, 

as they journeyed from the east, 

that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; 

and they dwelt there.

3 And they said one to another, 

Go to, let us make brick, 

and burn them thoroughly. 

And they had brick for stone, 

and slime had they for morter.

4 And they said, 

Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, 

whose top may reach unto heaven; 

and let us make us a name, 

lest we be scattered abroad 

upon the face of the whole earth.

To which, GOD responds:

Genesis 11:5-9

King James Version

5 And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, 

which the children of men builded.

6 And the Lord said, 

Behold, the people is one, 

and they have all one language; 

and this they begin to do: 

and now nothing will be restrained from them, 

which they have imagined to do.

7 Go to, let us go down, 

and there confound their language, 

that they may not understand one another's speech.

8 So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence 

upon the face of all the earth: 

and they left off to build the city.

9 Therefore is the name of it called Babel; 

because the Lord did there confound 

the language of all the earth: 

and from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad 

upon the face of all the earth.

Scripture also has this to say about structures:

Exodus 20:17

King James Version

17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, 

thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, 

nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, 

nor his ox, nor his ass, 

nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.

GOD doesn't care for covetousness.

Colossians 3:5-6

King James Version

5 Mortify therefore your members 

which are upon the earth; 

fornication, uncleanness, 

inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, 

and covetousness, which is idolatry:

6 For which things' sake the wrath of God 

cometh on the children of disobedience:

NOTES:

* twelve thousand furlongs = 2,414,020.8 meters

**an hundred and forty and four cubits = 65.8368 meters

Related post:

On idolatry

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Image: Jesus pictures-photos

On HEWN stone

 

Exodus 20:25

King James Version

25 And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, 

thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: 

for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, 

thou hast polluted it.

That was the LORD's command in the Old Testament.

That Moses and the Israelites not use hewn stone to build an altar for GOD.

What do other Bible versions say about "hewn stone"?

Exodus 20:25

Amplified Bible

25 If you make an altar of stone for Me, you shall not build it of cut stones, for if you use a chisel on it, you will [a]profane it.

Exodus 20:25

Common English Bible

25 But if you do make for me an altar from stones, don’t build it with chiseled stone since using your chisel on the stone will make it impure.

Exodus 20:25

Easy-to-Read Version

25 But if you use stones to make an altar, then don’t use stones that were cut with an iron tool.[a] If you do that, it will make the altar unacceptable.

Exodus 20:25

Expanded Bible

25 If you use stones to make an altar for me, don’t use ·stones that you have shaped with tools [hewn/cut stones]. When you use any ·tools [chisel] on them, you ·make them unsuitable for use in worship [profane them].

Exodus 20:25

GOD’S WORD Translation

25 If you build an altar for me made out of stones, never make it with cut stone blocks. If you use a chisel on it, you will make it unacceptable to me.

Exodus 20:25

International Children’s Bible

25 You may use stones to make an altar for me. But don’t use stones that you have made smooth with tools. You must not use any tools on the stones. If you do, you make them unsuitable for use in worship.

Exodus 20:25

Living Bible

25 You may also build altars from stone, but if you do, then use only uncut stones and boulders. Don’t chip or shape the stones with a tool, for that would make them unfit for my altar.

Exodus 20:25

The Message

If you use stones to make my Altar, don’t use dressed stones. If you use a chisel on the stones you’ll profane the Altar

Exodus 20:25

New English Translation

25 If you make me an altar of stone, you must not build it[a] of stones shaped with tools,[b] for if you use your tool on it you have defiled it.

Exodus 20:25

New Living Translation

25 If you use stones to build my altar, use only natural, uncut stones. Do not shape the stones with a tool, for that would make the altar unfit for holy use.

Exodus 20:25

The Voice

25 But if you decide to build an altar out of stones for Me, use only natural stones, not hand-cut stones, because any attempt to shape them with your tools will desecrate the altar.

In SUMMARY, "hewn stone" refers to:

cut stones

chiseled stone

stones that were cut with an iron tool

stones that you have shaped with tools [hewn/cut stones]

cut stone blocks

stones that you have made smooth with tools

dressed stones

stones shaped with tools

Instead, the Bible says:

use only uncut stones and boulders

use only natural, uncut stones

use only natural stones, not hand-cut stones

GOD also mentioned the altar He wanted built:

Exodus 20:24

King James Version

24 An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, 

and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, 

and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: 

in all places where I record my name 

I will come unto thee, 

and I will bless thee.

Related link:

Prehistoric Construction Techniques

Image: Wallpaper Flare

BUILDING blogs of FAITH

 

The LORD JESUS said:

John 7:38

King James Version

38 He that believeth on me, 

as the scripture hath said, 

out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

I am not meant to build physical structures.

I am meant to build blogs honoring GOD.

That's what GOD made me for.

I was made to take up Architecture.

My heart was in words.

GOD had the final say.

His WORD.

I searched everywhere.

Looking for absolute truth.

Not realizing, GOD was in my heart.

All that lengthy, arduous time.

Took me a long time to come around.

But GOD's got patience.

He's got eternity.

I don't.

Grieve not,

that it took you a long time to know GOD.

Grieve,

when you don't seek Him at all.

What were you made to do on this earth?

Keep seeking.

Keep searching.

Keep praying.

Wait, watch, listen.

You will have your answers.

GOD hears the faithful.

Just when you think GOD isn't there.

Oh, He's very much there!

Waiting for your call.

From a humbled heart.

From a grieving heart.

From a lost heart.

From a defeated heart.

Even from an angry heart.

GOD has no use for pride.

Leave it outside your door.

Better yet, throw it into the ocean,

and have the sharks gobble it up.

Like eats like.

We started knowing nothing.

Through JESUS,

we learn everything.

Why remain hard-hearted?

Your heart of flesh

needs the HEART of GOD.

All we know on this earth

is as nothing

compared to what JESUS knows.

Who do you listen to?

What is the company you keep?

Are they good for you?

Are you good for them?

Or are you all bent on destruction?

JESUS loves children

because they are pure, teachable,

joyful, open-hearted, fun, trusting.

Adults are a different story.

The word "adulterated"

isn't by chance.

It has the word "adult" in it.

The secret of GOD?

In every word.

There is a real battle going on.

GOD's pure WORD,

versus the enemy's corrupted words.

It isn't hard to tell them apart.

One makes us live.

One makes us die.

When you think you know much.

You probably don't know much at all.

A born again doesn't expect worldly freedom.

This fallen world won't offer you that.

Only through GOD's SPIRIT 

do we have true liberty.

The world as we know it,

doesn't know GOD.

The world to come?

It's all GOD.

This world can't offer you,

anything of lasting value.

Only GOD can.

When GOD makes you born again,

the learning sticks.

You will be forever changed.

When the world makes you born again,

you will still be subject

to man's fallenness.

The day you acknowledge your sins,

is the day GOD will show up.

The day you acknowledge your ignorance,

is the day GOD will teach you.

The day you thank the LORD each day,

is the day GOD blesses you even more.

Authenticity.

That's what my soul searched for.

For the longest time.

Now, I'm no longer lost.

I live, and breathe GOD.

The enemy of CHRIST

is a pretender.

He pretends to have a throne.

Or, at least, aspires to have one.

Only GOD has a throne.

Slow learner, that one.

When you are truly GOD's own,

your work will change.

You will change.

You will take that 180-degree turn.

And never look back.

By never looking back,

we mean that you won't want your old ways.

Who wants to put on old clothes,

when JESUS gave you new ones to wear?

You are a new person in CHRIST, remember?

Working for JESUS

is the most sublime work.

Every day is full of surprises.

Tons to do.

But there's nothing like it.

Who would have thought 

I'd be writing this way?

Who would have thought

I'd be teaching this way?

Only GOD did.

Come down from your towers.

Come down from your lofty abodes.

Those won't last.

Only JESUS does.

Do you care to be popular?

Or would you rather

your heart is right with GOD?

Do you care to be rich?

Or would you rather

see the mansion JESUS saved for you?

What citizenship do we speak of?

Believers are citizens of heaven, 

not of this earth.

Does it matter you are not liked?

Does it matter you are not loved?

Does it matter you are not accepted?

The world doesn't care

for those who love JESUS.

Accept that.

Aspire?

Or expire?

The choice is easy.

Every blog,

every post,

came from JESUS.

They were my

building blogs of faith!

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GOOD for BRAIN health

 Isaiah 64:8

King James Version

8 But now, 

O Lord, 

thou art our father; 

we are the clay, 

and thou our potter; 

and we all are the work of thy hand.

Has it really been that long?

That I've been inspired by a structure?

Thanks to a feature I saw on cable today.

Frank Gehry's structure was stunning.

A fantastic, convoluted structure.

And I learned that building was called Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health.

So very fitting it would also be located at quirky Las Vegas, Nevada.

Wikipedia reports:

"The center is approximately 65,000 sq ft (6,000 m2) and includes 13 examination rooms, offices for health care practitioners and researchers, a "Museum of the Mind", and a community auditorium. The center also serves as the headquarters for Keep Memory Alive, the Las Vegas Alzheimer's Association and the Las Vegas Parkinson's Disease Association."

Had this building appeared when I was studying Architecture, perhaps, I may have become a full-fledged architect.

Perhaps.

But GOD had other plans.

He made sure there was nothing especially interesting at school.

I've always loved studying, but there was hardly time to digest stuff.

Sure, we studied Sir Banister Fletcher's "A History of Architecture".

But history of architecture is a study in itself, and cannot be surface study.

At least, for me.

I liked to absorb what I study.

Gehry's brain health structure is a 12-year-old beauty, and it came too late for me.

Still, I can appreciate its quirky, wavy lines, use of materials, and spotless facilities.

Methinks it's good for my brain health.

I had been fed a diet of pyramids, Greek temples, European churches, American buildings, a host of other popular architects.

But I did hear of Frank Gehry then.

Just didn't realize his works were revolutionary.

Seeing the documentary, and videos on the link below, woke my dormant brain cells, regarding design.

We all need a good dose of inspiration.

As born again, GOD lifted my thinking to another level.

Of really serving man, and not ego.

Thus, the PRAISE village I was creating in my mind.

And now, Gehry gave me more ideas.

Curiously, Frank Gehry had a particular affinity for fish design.

Such that, it was incorporated in his buildings in various countries.

I also learned he had Russian-Polish Jewish roots.

And I think to myself, it would be great if he believed in JESUS, who asked His disciples:

Matthew 4:19

King James Version

19 And he saith unto them, 

Follow me, 

and I will make you fishers of men.

I am happy that SPIRIT alerted me to Gehry's work today.

May all our work honor JESUS.

And may it always be useful to man.

Ephesians 2:10

King James Version

10 For we are his workmanship, 

created in Christ Jesus unto good works, 

which God hath before ordained 

that we should walk in them.

SPIRIT gives believers lots of inspiration.

He gives us life!

I thank Him for today.

And every day.

2 Corinthians 3:6

King James Version

6 Who also hath made us 

able ministers of the new testament; 

not of the letter, 

but of the spirit: 

for the letter killeth, 

but the spirit giveth life.

Related material:

DOC Frank Gehry - Architecture In Motion

Frank Gehry's TED Talk in February 1990 - My days as a young rebel

CLEVELAND CLINIC LOU RUVO CENTER FOR BRAIN HEALTH

9 Things You Didn’t Know about Frank Gehry

13 Iconic (and Wacky) Frank Gehry Buildings

13 Outstanding Frank Gehry Buildings and Their History

Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health by Frank Gehry

Robert Harding photos

Image: Cygnusloop99