DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.13852#0045
FOUNTAIN OF LIFE AND GENERAL PLANS.
15
buted throughout the world. The task was not only that of planning on
colossal lines the framework of the undertaking, but of harmoniously blend-
ing the parts together, as if they were the veins and arteries of a single
body, depending, so to say, on a heart, through which the blood, driven by
healthy, vigorous pulsations might flow, and after being purified and streng-
thened by the highest attainments in art, science, religion and law, might
freely circulate throughout the whole organism.
In the ideal project here presented, as will be seen by looking at the
general plan, this International Centre was conceived as facing the sea, so
that it might connect the water ways of the globe. Ideal plans have also
been made for the construction, around this centre of a practical, modern
city, capable of holding a million inhabitants, and suggestions are given for
a possible extension beyond these boundaries by the addition of " garden
cities " to promote healthy expansion. Both parts of this plan were drawn
up only after prolonged and careful study of the most economic and prac-
tical systems of city-building, and they were worked out so as to bring the
whole into a monumental and imposing harmony; at the same time all the
latest scientific and hygienic methods have been adopted. The City will be
fully discussed in another chapter.
We shall begin here with the International Centre which is bounded on
three sides by a broad canal. Roughly, covering a rectangle of five kilo-
metres in length, by one in width, it forms as it were the heart of the city,
and consists of three parts : a Physical Culture or Olympic Centre, an Art
Centre and a Scientific Centre.
The Olympic or Physical Culture Centre, consists of a colossal Natatorium
facing the sea and a very large Stadium. The latter forms the crowning
feature of this part of the International Centre, and is surrounded by broad
avenues and gardens. To the right and left are Physical Culture Schools or
Gymnasia, one for men, the other for women. These again are surrounded
by gardens and ample spaces for out-of-door sports, arranged as running-
tracks, tennis-courts, arenas for ball games, boxing and wrestling, a skating
rink, an out-door gymnasium, a kindergarten for children, etc.
The Art Centre consists of a central Temple of Art, with an adjoining
Conservatorium for Music and the Drama, a School of Fine-Arts, an Art and
Musical Library and a Museum of Casts, all these set in the midst of gardens
containing an Open-air Theatre and School of Painting, Botanical and
Zoological Gardens, a Natural History Museum and Green-Houses, connect-
ing this centre with the preceding.
The Scientific Centre consists of a central Tower of Progress that rises
with majestic lines into the heavens, —a monumental symbol of progress, signal-
ling and drawing humanity to a common centre in which to house and protect
their interests. From its soaring height wireless messages may be received
from all parts of the world. At its base a World Press, planned upon colossal
15
buted throughout the world. The task was not only that of planning on
colossal lines the framework of the undertaking, but of harmoniously blend-
ing the parts together, as if they were the veins and arteries of a single
body, depending, so to say, on a heart, through which the blood, driven by
healthy, vigorous pulsations might flow, and after being purified and streng-
thened by the highest attainments in art, science, religion and law, might
freely circulate throughout the whole organism.
In the ideal project here presented, as will be seen by looking at the
general plan, this International Centre was conceived as facing the sea, so
that it might connect the water ways of the globe. Ideal plans have also
been made for the construction, around this centre of a practical, modern
city, capable of holding a million inhabitants, and suggestions are given for
a possible extension beyond these boundaries by the addition of " garden
cities " to promote healthy expansion. Both parts of this plan were drawn
up only after prolonged and careful study of the most economic and prac-
tical systems of city-building, and they were worked out so as to bring the
whole into a monumental and imposing harmony; at the same time all the
latest scientific and hygienic methods have been adopted. The City will be
fully discussed in another chapter.
We shall begin here with the International Centre which is bounded on
three sides by a broad canal. Roughly, covering a rectangle of five kilo-
metres in length, by one in width, it forms as it were the heart of the city,
and consists of three parts : a Physical Culture or Olympic Centre, an Art
Centre and a Scientific Centre.
The Olympic or Physical Culture Centre, consists of a colossal Natatorium
facing the sea and a very large Stadium. The latter forms the crowning
feature of this part of the International Centre, and is surrounded by broad
avenues and gardens. To the right and left are Physical Culture Schools or
Gymnasia, one for men, the other for women. These again are surrounded
by gardens and ample spaces for out-of-door sports, arranged as running-
tracks, tennis-courts, arenas for ball games, boxing and wrestling, a skating
rink, an out-door gymnasium, a kindergarten for children, etc.
The Art Centre consists of a central Temple of Art, with an adjoining
Conservatorium for Music and the Drama, a School of Fine-Arts, an Art and
Musical Library and a Museum of Casts, all these set in the midst of gardens
containing an Open-air Theatre and School of Painting, Botanical and
Zoological Gardens, a Natural History Museum and Green-Houses, connect-
ing this centre with the preceding.
The Scientific Centre consists of a central Tower of Progress that rises
with majestic lines into the heavens, —a monumental symbol of progress, signal-
ling and drawing humanity to a common centre in which to house and protect
their interests. From its soaring height wireless messages may be received
from all parts of the world. At its base a World Press, planned upon colossal