Stillness and Light: The Silent Eloquence of Shaker Architecture

by Henry Plummer

Shaker buildings have long been admired for their simplicity of design and sturdy craftsmanship, with form always following function. Over the years, their distinctive physical characteristics have invited as much study as imitation. Their clean, unadorned lines have been said to reflect core Shaker beliefs such as honesty, integrity, purity, and perfection. In this book, Henry Plummer focuses on the use of natural light in Shaker architecture, noting that Shaker builders manipulated light not only for practical reasons of illumination but also to sculpt a deliberately spiritual, visual presence within their space. Stillness and Light celebrates this subtly beautiful aspect of Shaker innovation and construction, captured in more than 100 stunning photographs.

Genres: Architecture, Nonfiction

152 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2009

Reviews

[Keziah Jensen-Cannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the ebook version and expect it will be a lot better when I get my hands on a physical copy where I can actually see the pictures properly.

[Sherry Porter · Rating 4 out of 5]

beautiful photos - I appreciate the simplicity of Shaker architecture, especially when day to day life is so busy. The descriptions where too dreamy and didn't represent how I personally think the style is trying to project.