Solstice Architecture

Long winter solstice shadows, Howard Buford Recreation Area, December 21, 2023 (photo by R. Fletcher).

I played hooky from work this past Thursday afternoon to join a group of friends on a hike at the Howard Buford Recreation Area near Eugene. We couldn’t have asked for better conditions as the weather was unseasonably dry and sunny, perfect for a pleasant stroll along some of the park’s forest and oak savanna trails at the base of Mt. Pisgah (I got my 10,000 steps in for the day and then some). Our gathering for the hike is a winter solstice tradition, annually bringing this circle of friends together. We not only observe the solstice and celebrate the holiday season, but also take the opportunity to connect with nature and welcome the return of longer days. 

The winter solstice is tremendously significant as it is the shortest day and the longest night of the year. In the Northern Hemisphere, it occurs when the sun is directly over the Tropic of Capricorn, which is located 23.5 degrees south of the equator. Ceremonies held during the winter solstice often center around themes of renewal, hope, and the triumph of light over darkness. Many people view these events, which observe key points in Earth's orbit around the sun, to be of substantial cultural, religious, and practical importance. 

Unsurprisingly, humans have long used architecture to mark important astronomical occurrences such as the solstices and equinoxes. Certain ancient societies built prominent edifices to serve as tangible connections between the earthly realm and the celestial sphere, particularly those associated with the apparent path of the sun.  

Stonehenge (photo by garethwiscombe, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons)

The first instance that comes to everyone’s mind is Stonehenge in England, a prehistoric monument whose massive stones align with the sunrise on the summer solstice. Its purpose—a blend of religious and ceremonial significance—speaks to the ancient human impulse to seek meaning in the heavens above. Similarly, Newgrange in Ireland, with its passage tomb designed to capture the winter solstice sunrise, attests to the careful observation of celestial cycles and their integration into cultural practices. 

Entrance passage and entrance stone to Newgrange (photos by spudmurphy, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Other notable examples include the solar temples of Machu Picchu in Peru, the great structures of Abu Simbel in Egypt, the temple complex of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, the pyramid at Chichén Itzá in Mexico, and the Cahokia Mounds near St. Louis, Missouri.

The reasons for constructing such structures are diverse and often involve a combination of religious, spiritual, agricultural, and social motivations. The ancient cultures saw celestial events as critical markers in their calendars. Aligning structures with the solstices and equinoxes served practical purposes such as determining planting and harvesting seasons, as well as reinforcing cultural and religious beliefs. 

Modern-day examples of the design and construction of structures that acknowledge and interact with celestial events include Frank Lloyd Wright’s Usonian hemicycle homes and the various installations of the Sky Mirror sculpture. The arcing plan of Wright’s Jacobs II passive solar home acknowledges the sun’s changing aspect through the seasons, alternately welcoming its warmth during the winter and sheltering its glass wall from solar gain during the summer. The Sky Mirror, by artist Anish Kapoor, is a large stainless-steel mirror that reflects the sky and its changes, capturing the movements of the sun, clouds, and celestial occurrences.

Plan of the Jacobs II House, a hemicycle home by Frank Lloyd Wright. 

Sky Mirror, Kensington Gardens, London (photo by Gaius Cornelius, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons) 

While we did not climb Mt. Pisgah during our hike Thursday through the Buford Recreation Area, its grassy summit area notably features a bronze sighting pedestal by sculptor Pete Helzer that aligns itself with the winter and summer solstices. It is a memorial that honors Jed Kesey (son of famed Oregon author Ken Kesey) who, along with another member of the University of Oregon wrestling team, died at the age of twenty in a 1984 automobile accident. Two slots in the monument capture the sun's path on the solstices. At sunrise and sunset on those days, you can stand with the pedestal between you and the horizon to see the rising or setting sun. Ken Kesey said the sculpture represents "the impermanence of life and the infinity on either side of it." 

Mt. Pisgah Sighting Pedestal, Pete Helzer, sculptor (photo from the artist’s website) 

The winter solstice holds cultural and religious significance across various civilizations and belief systems. The connection with the celebration of Christmas is particularly fascinating, with numerous historical, symbolic, and cultural overlaps. Though the winter solstice was initially a pagan celebration, Christianity absorbed and repurposed existing cultural practices and festivals associated with it. In particular, the symbolism of light is central to both the solstice and Christmas. For pagans, it is the return of sunlight after the darkest day of the year, whereas in Christianity, it is the arrival of Jesus as a divine light into the world, bringing hope and salvation to believers. The symbolism of light, themes of renewal, and the adaptation of ancient practices have contributed to the rich tapestry of winter celebrations, making the season a time of joy, reflection, and shared cultural heritage. 

Solstice architecture is a bridge between our shared past and the boundless possibilities of our future. As my friends and I soaked in the last rays of sunlight on the year’s shortest day, I couldn’t help but reflect on the enduring connection between humanity and the cosmos, a bond that has found a sometimes-powerful expression through architecture. May your coming days likewise be filled with the warmth of connection, the brilliance of new experiences, and the enduring light of shared joy as we navigate the seasons of life with gratitude and wonder. Happy Holidays!