Windowless Buildings (page 2)

IHaveASavior

Sir82, I find your replies to my query to be quite derogatory, as well as uninformed. If you consider the theories applied in selecting construction materials and the principle practices of heating and cooling you will note:

a. hot air rises and therefore the greater heat loss will be through the roof. Hence, heat gain also due to the large surface area of the roof during the cooling season.

b. During mild weather the "windows" could be opened to allow "free cooling".

I tend to think from your replies that crosses may intimidate you.

IHaveASavior

Yes Blondie, I do travel extensively and have always been perplexed that, unlike other persuasions of religion, KH's are sans windows. Most, if not all denominations have some means of allowing natural light into the sanctuary or gathering place. I don't see this as such in JW.

IHaveASavior

In over thirty years only two buildings you have entered have had windows, did those allow a line of site into the main sanctuary or gathering area?

IHaveASavior

We know that the Amish for instance, do not allow photographs to be taken of them so as to prevent an idol being created. Since cost savings and budgeting does not make for good argument with a person with over thirty years of construction experience what would be the reasoning of the elders to advocate windowless buildings?

looking_glass

In over thirty years only two buildings you have entered have had windows, did those allow a line of site into the main sanctuary or gathering area?

You are kidding right? There is no "main sanctuary". The rooms are open. Often times they will have a library area in the back and may possibly have a basement. Maybe you have JWs confused with LDS. Is that what you are referring to?

I stopped going to halls in my late 20's. Of those buildings, all have had windows. Some halls had more windows then others. Some windows were the block style, some were standard windows. Please forgive the confusion, but I don't understand the foregoing question. Again, I think you have JWs confused with some other religion.

Lo-ru-hamah

I have attended meetings at too many halls to remember and of all of them only 1 had windows. I have heard that they don't have windows due to insurance reasons. I have attended meetings in Switzerland, France and Ecuador as well and none of those had windows either. I think it is a borganization thing.

coffee_black

My dad designed many kingdom halls. They all had windows, but were built during the 50s & 60s. There was a rash of vandalizing of kingdom halls, and I remember him talking about new halls being designed without windows. He wasn't happy about it...but then he thought buildings without light were ugly.

Ironically, having left, I now work for one of the largest window companies in the world. I conduct seminars, sanctioned by AIA (with CEU) credit, about glazing systems. Ihaveasavior, you are right that windows contribute to thermal efficiency...but I really don't think that was the issue. My own theory is that windows not only allow light in, but encourage people to look outside...not a good thing when the organization wants full attention...

Ihaveasavior...you sound angry. Most here are xjws...and you will find few here who will defend the organization on this or other issues.

Coffee

IHaveASavior

No I am not confusing one sect with another. I have observed what appears to be an absence of windows in the building construction of KH's and am curious as to why this is. Although I will admit I have never been inside a KH I have been inside several denomination's sanctuaries (Protestant, Catholic, Lutheran, Episcopalian), as well as several Jewish Synagogues, Muslim Mosques. I have even entered Buddist Temples and all had visible windows allowing natural light to enter the sanctuary.

Your answer confounds me, that there is no "sanctuary" but instead a library and offices surrounding a "large, open space?".

As my faith encourages a gathering place, sancyuary, where all congregants gather to worship I now am faced with another question, Do you worship a Deity or writers f text?

sir82

Sir82, I find your replies to my query to be quite derogatory, as well as uninformed.

You're right, you got me. It's a fair cop.

The real reason is the sacrificing of chickens. Witnesses sacrifice chickens as part of their liturgy, and if there were windows, PETA would be able to see in and there would be hell to pay.

IHaveASavior

Hey Coffe, I'm not angry, just perplexed. I like the irony of your career path. I was dismayed by Sir82's comments.

Windowless Buildings

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