New Harmony Grotto

Frederick Kiesler's Grotto for Meditation was originally comissioned by Jane Blaffer-Owen to be built in New Harmony, Indiana in 1963. The project was unrealized but has been reimagined as a digitally fabricated open air structure designed by students and faculty at the University of Houston Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture using the new facilities at the Burdette Keeland Design Exploration Center. The University commissioned the Grotto to be designed for a new garden next to the Architecture building. The New Harmony Grotto aspires to be a campus landmark and a tribute to the patronage of Mrs. Owen and to the spirit of New Harmony. Collaboration with the UHCoA Digital Fabrication seminar students and Ben Nicholson, Visiting Critic.