The Cupola

“a small structure or dome on a roof”

This really comes under the “it seemed a good idea at the time” heading.

We wanted light to come through an opening in the centre of the roof and stained glass seemed like the obvious choice of material.

Constructing the frame

The Cupola Journey starts - Paul brazing the brass skeleton for the glass and crystal structure designed to cover the central opening in the roof.

The design mirrors the reciprocal force roof beams and continues the spiral-like structural flow upwards.

constructing the frame

skeleton complete

The Skeleton is complete

The initial brasswork is completed - the brass skirt has been added to accommodate the height variation due to the reciprocal force structure.

A selection of large faceted Amethyst and Aventurine crystals have been incorporated in the brass sheet skirt which has been soldered to the frame.

Filling in the Panels

The design took some time to finalise - it was going to be on view for miles around and a permanent lighting filter for the main room.

Economics were the final arbiter (stained glass is quite expensive) and we decided on a spiral design which minimised glass wastage.

The spiral design discretely complimented the roof beams and slowly emerged from the many choices available as the obvious winner.

the glass panels half completed

The etched symbols are a Runic Alphabet^[1] - widely known as “The Runes”. They relate to the various stages which occur in all human endeavours and are used for their divinatory and oracular abilities^[2]. There are also reiki and other symbols engraved to add blessings and protection for the building and its occupants.

It was during this construction that I “hit the wall” and was despairing about making progress on the building. As the weeks went by and I found myself mired in what seemed a “slough of despond”, I wondered if the project would ever be finished.

Eventually I sought the help of a hypnotherapist and obtained a “You-can-do-it” guided meditation or self-hypnosis tape. Once I started using that I didn't have a day off for 6 weeks and the project resumed its steady progress.

ready for the ascension

Ready to go aloft

The cupola complete but still on the ground.

The stained glass panels have been fitted to the frame and then laminated with 6mm laminated glass (the same as is used for car windscreens) for protection.

A last look at the inside

As with all things - the construction came to an end and it became obvious that the next step was to get the cupola from the ground to the roof.

This was our final close-up look at the interior (viewed while still on the ground).

The mirrored sections create reflections adding to the visual richness but we had no idea how this would look once it was aloft.

A last look at the inside

journey to the outside world

The Journey begins

The journey to the outside world - we had thought we would need to use a crane to lift the cupola to the roof.

With a friend's encouragement we resolved to lift it with manpower - a classic case of “many hands make light work”.

The first stage of the journey: the cupola is carried from the main room to the rear of the temple in preparation for the trip up to the top of the roof.

The Journey continues

The first stage of the ascension - the 6 metre planks again prove their worth as a ramp for this effort.

The cupola was slowly slid up the planks to the outer (or lower) section of the roof.

the ascension continues

the final stage of the journey aloft

The flight to the top

Once the cupola reached the outer roof it seemed to sense it's home was close and became very keen to get to the top.

All of the people involved in carrying it up the inner section of the roof (quite a steep pitch when you are carrying hundreds of kilos of brass and glass) we all had a challenge keeping up with it.

No-one felt they were carrying a weight so much as madly scrambling to keep a hand on the cupola as it 'soared' to it's place.

Much to everyone's delight it fitted like a glove and gave a very satisfied “clunk” when it settled into place.

Home sweet home!

The whole operation from the ground to the apex took around 10 minutes (including fixing). A very different experience following the nearly 9 months of construction!!

Be it ever so humble......

At long last!

At last! We can see the results of the work - a glorious cap to the temple and a veritable light show all day long.

Since the cupola has been in place we have had a flock of sulphur-crested cockatoos (birds we rarely, if ever, saw in the area previously) visiting every day from dawn to dusk.

The pace and intensity of personal change also stepped up a notch!

Back on the Ground

A blue crane inspects
the new addition!
<<<<<

>>>>>
The results are quite spectacular!
the faceted hearts sprinkle
the floor with colour

yep - that's a rotary hoe
in the living room
- but that's another story
to do with the floors.

The central diamond
casts an intense rainbow
>>>>>

<<<<<
The stained glass shadow
travels across the walls
throughout the day, often
assuming distinct postures

Here is the colourful casper
(the ghost) or maybe
a multi-hued angel?

The Tour
	back to the roof		top of this page		home page		next is ceiling

return to top of this page

References	Source	Web Page, Article or Book Title
[1]	Wikipedia	Runic alphabet
[2]	Ingrid Halvorsen	Runes, Alphabet of Mystery