Time moves on, and the Guardian therefore hopes that the result of the
collaboration and adaptation of the Azamat design will be presented to him
in the near future.
The Guardian has no objections of course to new designs being presented;
but they must carry with them the dignified spirit of the Faith, and must
be in keeping with the distinction and honor which comes to the temples
now being built being the first in their respective continents.
My letter of November 10th outlines in a little more detail what the
Guardian has in mind for Bahá’í temples; and he hopes that something
suitable may soon be found for a temple in Germany.
The Guardian assures you of his prayers in your behalf, and sends you his
loving greetings....
LETTER OF 23 NOVEMBER 1955
23 November 1955
Dear Bahá’í Friends:
The beloved Guardian has received your letter of November 8th, reviewing
further the question of the Bahá’í Temple in Germany.
Your letter crossed my communication to you of last week. The Guardian has
asked me to write you further, making the following points:
1. He does not approve of either design No. 11335 or Cupola.
2. As I have written you previously, he feels that the only submission
which has come to him which lends itself to adjustment for the Temple in
Germany is the design “Azamat”.
3. As outlined in my letter of last week, the Guardian does not object to
your arranging for another architect to collaborate with Mr. Hopfner.
However in this collaboration, the general design of the Temple “Azamat”
should be continued; and under no circumstances should it be changed to
resemble the ultra modern architectural type of building which was the
motif of the other submissions.
4. As the Guardian has indicated, previously, this building need have
seating capacity of only 500 or 600 people.
5. It should be a more modest structure, as has been outlined in previous
correspondence. The Guardian feels the height should be not over 30
meters, and the other proportions of the building should be cut down
accordingly.
6. The Guardian feels the cost should run about $300,000 or a little more;
certainly on the outside not more than $400,000.
Therefore in revising the plan, it should be simplified in such a way as
to bring the cost down,—to a figure near $300,000.
It is noted in the details of the “Azamat” there are a number of things
still included, which certainly could be gotten along without, for the
time being.
With the elimination of the Assembly Hall in the basement, the elimination
of the tea kitchen and dining room, as well as conference rooms, library,
archives and the other rooms contemplated, this should make a rather
material reduction in expense. Likewise the caretaker’s quarters should be
eliminated, as the caretaker could probably live in the basement for the
time being. Elevators need not be considered.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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