The Portara

Mariah Lykos
Interior Design Studio VIII
IRN801
Instructor
Adam Kolodziej

The existence of the Afterlife was put into question. Does it exist? If so, what does it look like? My belief in the Afterlife is displayed via this Greek Island, Naxos. Upon arrival to this island, one will experience the "death phase" by walking up the hill, towards the Portara (meaning "The Great Door"). As soon as the visitor walks through the Portara, they have now entered into the Afterlife. Aristotle's Universe is seen upon entering this new Afterlife: Mercury, Mars, Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, Earth, and Sun. Walking onto the glass ramps towards each planet imitates this idea of floating freely, as one would experience in the Afterlife. The outside of each planet is made out of reflective glass to showcase the beauty of the sky and sea. The planets contain skyspaces and openings through the walls and ceilings, which represent the idea of opening towards heaven.