Baughman Center, Contemplation pavilion at University of Florida, United States
The Baughman Center is a meditation building on the University of Florida campus, set along the shore of Lake Alice. It features floor-to-ceiling windows, walls of native Florida cypress wood, and a copper roof.
The building opened in 2000 after George and Hazel Baughman made a generous donation to create a meditation space on campus. Their gift made this place possible, and it has been part of campus life ever since.
The center belongs to the university and is open to everyone, regardless of religious background. Students, faculty, and visitors use it for personal reflection, small concerts, and memorial gatherings.
The center is generally open on weekdays, but hours can change depending on university events and seasons. It is worth checking ahead, especially around home football games, when access may be limited.
The building is astronomically aligned so that sunlight enters directly through the windows at both sunrise and sunset on the summer solstice. The floor is made of three types of travertine marble laid in geometric patterns.
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