A building that reminds me of the beauty of Jannah

One of the buildings that I looked at for my final history essay was the Fallingwater (1935-39), designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. It is one of the key modern architectural projects in our time.

Just a little bit description of the house, for those who would like to read more. Just ignore this paragraph if you don't feel like reading + imagining in 3-Dimensional at the same time.

Wright has designed a series of cantilevers that was anchored to the masonry walls made from sandstone. They hover more than 30 feet over the running stream and waterfalls, creating a very utopian image. Despite the height, the sheltering image of Fallingwater that Wright sought was still there, due to the strong horizontality of the planes and also the relatively low ceilings. There is also a lot of terraces area that allows visitors to be engulfed in the wilderness of the surrounding nature. It gives people the chance to appreciate the natural beauty of the site. Having said that, however, the most significant and magical element that makes the Fallingwater one of a kind is probably, as the name of it suggest, the stream that runs through, underneath the house. Just the sound of the running water brings a sense of serenity to the house.

Here is an 3D animation of the house done by Cristóbal Vila.

Fallingwater from Cristóbal Vila on Vimeo.

Beautiful? Yes? No? I think it is. One of favourite projects actually. After looking at this project, I remembered reading about streams that run underneath the gardens of paradise. So, after a quick browse, I stumbled upon a very interesting and enlightening verse in the Quran.

لَـٰكِنِ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوۡاْ رَبَّہُمۡ لَهُمۡ غُرَفٌ۬ مِّن فَوۡقِهَا غُرَفٌ۬ مَّبۡنِيَّةٌ۬ تَجۡرِى مِن تَحۡتِہَا ٱلۡأَنۡہَـٰرُ‌ۖ وَعۡدَ ٱللَّهِ‌ۖ لَا يُخۡلِفُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡمِيعَادَ

But it is for those who fear the Lord, that lofty mansions, one above another, have been built; beneath them flow rivers; (such is) the Promise of Allah; never does Allah fail in (His) promise. Surah 39 Az Zumar verse 20

In the Modern English Translation of the Holy Quran: Meanings & Commentary, from the original work of A. Yusuf Ali, he said:

The idea of heaven discussed here is “that of a Home of sublimity and beauty, with a picturesque outlook, such as we would describe in this life by the type of a palace by gently-flowing streams. The mansions will also suggest generous space and architectural beauty, tiers upon tiers piled one upon another.

Subhanallah. I want to be there.

Now of course, Fallingwater would not be able to represent the true beauty of the 'lofty mansions' described in the verse, but obviously, we can get a rough idea of the sublimity one could expect. The spatial quality described in the verse is just amazing. It makes us feel more determined to do be a good Muslim, a good servant, so that we can live in the promised mansions. Don't you think?

ps: One of the things that I like for being studying architecture is the ability to appreciate spaces. Imagine: Lofty mansions. Picturesque. Gently flowing streams underneath. Aaah. Heaven....