Architecture is a field that marries art and science. It takes skill and expertise to design buildings that can shelter people and serve communities. I have the privilege of being friends with architects, and their meticulous dedication to their craft is truly admirable. This is why I was curious about the book Beyond Sketches and Structures: Prayers and Verses for Design and Construction by Emilie Tiburcio Garcia. I have never encountered an architecture book before, so I was in for a treat. And even if I am not particularly religious, I was drawn to the prayers which were composed by the author for architects, construction workers, engineers, and everyone in the Built Environment, Design, and Construction industries. There is also ample space for personal reflections and photos of the construction stages, such as project groundbreaking, topping out, and completed project. There is also a space for the photo of the project blessing, which is a reminder to dedicate the completed work to the Ultimate Architect, God.
The photographs by Carlos Pasicolan Garcia evoke Old World charm and European class. It made me feel like I was taking a mini pilgrimage across Europe. The accompanying scriptures were tastefully selected and appropriately placed with the corresponding photos. All in all, the book is more than just a prayer book, but a long dedication to God and His wonderful designs.
I am pleased to recommend this book not just to those who are in the field of Architecture, but also to those who are curious about the craft and are dabbling in its allied fields. It is also not exclusively for Roman Catholics. Churches have a universal appeal, for they remind us that design can be used to glorify God and his heavenly power. It is up to us to not just pray while reflecting on the scriptures in this book, but also to dedicate all our work to the Lord. Now that we have this book in circulation, I hope that more authors will write books on prayers for various professional fields. I am excited to see this genre grow.
Beyond Sketches and Structures: Prayers and Verses for Design and Construction by Emilie Tiburcio Garcia is now available. Immerse yourself in a journey of prayer and design today!