50th anniversary of the Baha'i House of Worship

Concrete Construction, July, 2003

The Baha'i House of Worship, Wilmette, Ill., a national historic site and one of the region's top tourist attractions, celebrated the 50th anniversary of its dedication and the 100th anniversary of the conception of the project on May 17.

Since 2000, the uniquely styled, nine-sided temple has been in the process of preservation and reconstruction. A rigorous, ornate architectural concrete covers the exterior and interior surfaces of the building. The exposed aggregate finish provides a subtle texture by leaving the facets of subsurface aggregate and sand visible. Made entirely from crushed white and clear quartz crystals, the concrete is brilliant white in color and glistens.

The adaptation of concrete into an aesthetically beautiful material was revolutionary when construction began in 1920.