Writing Assignment- Lasting Monuments

SOLUTION

                                                #11 Lasting Monuments

The Community Bookshelf was established in 1873 and is one of the oldest libraries in Kansas City. The parking lot is in the form of a library with an array of twenty-two books representing the lifestyle of the locals. The collection is situated between the Baltimore Avenue and Wyandotte Street. Each book is twenty-five feet by nine feet in height and width respectively. What makes the architectural design unique is the fact the people of Kansas City were involved in the selection of the books they wanted to appear in the final design. As a result, the Community Bookshelf represents the interests and the lifestyle of the population.

The Community Bookshelf bears resemblance to the great Egyptian Sphinx, as it is timeless and serves a unique purpose. First, both architectural designs were commissioned by some form of leadership. The Community Bookshelf was approved by the Kansas City Library Board of Trustees after a careful review of the suggested reading materials by the local citizens. The twenty-two books show what the people of Kansas think represents them best.

Similarly, the Great Sphinx of Giza has symbolized the ancient essence and civilization of Egypt for more than five millennia. With the head of a god or an emperor and the body of a lion, it is a symbol of courage and wisdom demonstrated by the kings of ancient Egyptian civilization. One thing that the two architectural designs have in common is the iconic purposes they serve and their relevance to the situation they represent.

The Community Bookshelf shows peoples’ way of life. Similarly, the Sphinx symbolizes the wisdom of the gods or rulers of the ancient Egypt. In fact, it has remained a timeless attraction site for tourists, and a visit to Egypt without a trip to the Great Sphinx is considered incomplete. Actually, with time, the Community Bookshelf may become a similar attraction. Interestingly, this building, just like the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Big Ben in London, may become the “face” of the Kansas City, its citizens, their values and culture. 

However, there are some key differences between the two structures because one serves as a parking lot while the other, the Great Sphinx, is a statue of a god. It is a hybrid of two living beings, having the body of a lion and the head of a human ruler. On the other hand, the library has a shape of a bookshelf. Though different, both structures serve or signify their intended purpose. It is this aim of the design to suit the goal it is supposed to achieve that makes it timeless. Actually, such sights help the following generations to understand the culture and the values of the people who lived long ago. Perhaps, just like the Sphinx, the Community Bookshelf will show the way of life the people of Kansas had.

In conclusion, the two architectural designs have many differences such as their age, size and symbolic relevance. However, there is one significant and fundamental function that makes them equal: they symbolize a culture and a lifestyle of certain people. For this reason, the Community Bookshelf, without a doubt, holds the promise of immortality. It represents the way of life the citizens of Kansas City have.