The Thorncrown Chapel feels at home among the trees of Arkansas’ Ozark Mountains. This unique structure receives over 2,000 visitors each day.
It was designed by E. Fay Jones and built in 1980. Jones, one of the top students of Frank Lloyd Wright was recognized with the 1990 American Institute of Architects Gold Medal for a lifetime of outstanding achievement.
The wood and glass structure stands at 48 feet high, 60 feet long, and 24 feet wide. A central skylight and large windows allow for abundant light to enter.
Every truss was made from local pine “no larger than what two men could carry through the woods.”
There is a growing trend today for architecture to fit with its surroundings and more consideration is given to sustainability. The Thorncrown Chapel was a forerunner of this movment, perhaps that is one reason why it has enjoyed enduring popularity.
