Congregational Church of Northridge, 1962
Northridge, CA
1962
A. Quincy Jones Architects
This pyramidal church, covered in brown shingles, is deceptively simple from the outside. On the inside, the intricate laminated timber construction intersects with white cylindrical lights suspended from the ceiling. Light enters the church through a ribbon of glass at the ground-floor level and a skylight at the peak of the pyramid. A. Quincy Jones was a progressive architect who designed buildings to enhance the experience of those who lived and worked in them, with unique and efficient floor plans, airy interiors, and incorporated greenery. Jones designed everything in the church from the structure to the light fixtures to the altar to the pews. The result is minimalist, but enchanting—perfect for a quiet and contemplative service.
Wayne Thom’s photos of the church exterior emphasize the building’s geometry, with smooth lines rising out of the earth to meet at the top of the pyramid. But it are the interior photos where the viewer really understands the motives behind Jones’ designs. The open interior is filled with natural light and the light fixtures appear to be raining down over the pews. One of Thom’s favorite projects, he experienced physical exertion to capture the right image. As Thom told students in an interview for this exhibition, when he was photographing the church skylight from below he had to lay on his back holding a 50 pound 4x5 View Camera for a very long time as he attempted to perfectly level the camera and align it with the exact center of the skylight. His hard work paid off with a beautiful view of the skylight emitting a gauzy beam of light down into the church.
References:
Brooke Hodge, ed., A. Quincy Jones: Building for Better Living, Los Angeles: Armand Hammer Museum of Art and Cultural Center, Inc. / DelMonico Books, 2013, 17, 210.
Wayne Thom Interview with USC ARCH 404 Students, March 2018.