Faith, Symbology and Family

The patriarch of a prominent Charlotte, NC family commissioned DeSantana to provide materials, the design and installation of a carved stone rotunda that would be a focal point for a small, private family cemetery. We listened to the client's specific vision, and developed it further. We also took into consideration his passion for scripture and other inspiration, and provided illustrations for the project, creating a broad, conceptual vision. Numerous additional illustrations, as well as clay models, helped impart, in detail, the myriad decorative, religious, and symbolic elements that are a part of the structure.

The finished dome, made of Macedonian limestone, is 26 feet in diameter and the face plates for each of the eight columns uses Azul Aran, an Italian stone.

This client is passionate in his Christian faith and we discussed in depth his interest in symbology, Christian themes and how we would thoughtfully incorporate them into the design. Every decorative component from the large central stone cross sculpture to the olive branch detail on the middle band of each column imbues relevance and beauty into this unique and elegant structure. The result will be a spiritual gathering place for the family and visitors to pray, contemplate and share important occasions. 

Location: Chester, South Carolina
Project Status: Complete

“Architecture is the constant fight between man and nature,
the fight to overwhelm nature, to possess it.

The first act of architecture is to put a stone on the ground. That act transforms a condition of nature into a condition of culture;
it’s a holy act.” - Mario Botta