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Coquina

         The walls of the Motherhouse are made out of coquina rock that was quarried on St. Anastasia Island. The early sisters actually helped break up the large stones being used. The walls are between 12 and 18 inches thick. Originally the house was a simple French Romanesque architecture with wooden porches. The original colors were white walls with red roofs. Today the Motherhouse is an ivory or cream color with burgundy/red roofs and the porches are concrete.

         
          The entire building is only about 15,000 square feet, but it appears more massive due to its U-shaped design. Additionally, the building is proportioned to full scale on the first floor, 7/8s scale on the second floor, and 3/4s on the third floor. This is a concept used throughout Disneyworld to give buildings a look of stability and greater height. The design expresses the architecture of the motherhouse of the original sisters, using elements of their house in Le Puy, France.

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