1st Edition

Designing Sacred Spaces

By Sherin Wing Copyright 2016
    320 Pages
    by Routledge

    320 Pages
    by Routledge

    Sacred spaces exemplify some of the most exciting and challenging architecture today. Designing Sacred Spaces tells the inside story of seven architecture firms and their approaches to designing churches, mosques, synagogues and temples, monasteries and retreats. Twenty beautifully illustrated case studies located in Asia, Europe, and North America are showcased alongside discussions with the designers into concept and design development, materiality, and spatial analysis. Complementing these are essays on the cultural, historical, and theoretical meaning and importance of sacred spaces. By exploring the way we see religion and how we understand secular and sacred space, Designing Sacred Spaces reveals how we see ourselves and how we see others. A tour-de-force of first-person narratives, research, and illustrations, this book is a vital desk reference.

    Dedication  Part 1: Introduction  1. Introduction  2. New Terms  3. Architectural History and Historiography  4. Architecture Construction of Identity  Part 2: Churches  5. Arcari + Iovino Architects  6. hMa (Hanrahan Meyers Architects)  7. Kris Yao Artech  8. Makespace Architects  9. OOPEAA (Office for Peripheral Architecture)  Part 3: Reconceptualizing Space  10. Conceptualizing Space  11. Geography and Space  12. Archaeology and Space  Part 4: Monasteries  13. Michael Rotondi Architects  14. Kris Yao Artech  Part 5: The Construction of Religious Spaces  15. Constructing Religious Space  16. Symbols and Space  17. Project Sites  Part 6: Retreats  18. hMa  19. Imbue Design  20. Michael Rotondi Architects  Part 7: Understanding Religions Through Architecture  21. Religious Traditions, an Overview in Architecture  22. Buddhism  23. Christianity  24. Islam  25. Judaism  Part 8: Biographies and Observations  26. Arcari + Iovino Architects, Edward Arcari and Anthony Iovino  27. hMa, Victoria Meyers  28. Imbue Design, Hunter Gunderson, Matthew Swindel and Christopher Talvy  29. Makespace Architects, Shahed Saleem  30. OOPEAA, Anssi Lassila  31. Roto Architects, Michael Rotondi  Acknowledgments  Bibliography  Index

    Biography

    Sherin Wing received her Ph.D. in the Humanities from UCLA, USA. In addition to being a published scholar, she also writes for several publications including Architecture Magazine, ArchDaily.com, the Huffington Post, and Metropolis Magazine on a wide range of issues surrounding the cultural, economic, and social aspects of architecture.

    "Equal parts fascinating history-theory, illuminating design diary and dialog, and feast for the eyes and soul, Wing’s Designing Sacred Spaces is a compelling and beautifully structured book that teaches us, not only about religion and culture, but about design process, perception, and the power of space to be transcendent. It’s a fascinating read with multiple voices and points of view. A welcome addition to anyone’s library, certainly not just those of architects." - Alice Kimm, JFAK Architects and Adjunct Associate Professor, USC School of Architecture, USA

    "Sherin Wing is changing the architectural dialog for the better. In this rigorously researched, thoughtful, well-written book she argues against the European/American centric examination of our built environment, and opens the discourse by including sacred spaces around the globe. She argues and proves that architecture is at its best when it represents unique and complex cultures, a specific locality as well as its policies and beliefs. What better place to start human habitation than in the spiritual realm?" - Susan S. Szenasy, Publisher and Editor in Chief, Metropolis, USA

    "An inspiring book that is as thorough and insightful as it is beautiful. An excellent reminder of the heights that contemporary architects can achieve." - Sam Lubell, Contributing Editor, The Architect's Newspaper, USA

    "In this volume, Sherin Wing has created a primer on the architecture, ritual, and design of contemporary sacred spaces. Featuring the works of seven architects, her exceptionally clear writing presents interviews alongside foundational essays, drawings, and photographs to elucidate a range of spiritual building projects. From Taiwan to South Carolina, from monasteries to mosques, the reader comes away with a humanistic awareness of the rich tapestry of spaces that house our most profound individual and collective identities." - Dana Cuff, Professor, Architecture and Urban Design, UCLA and Director, cityLAB-UCLA, USA

    "The book is well illustrated with plenty of detailed drawing and colour photographs. It explores the special needs of sacred spaces; the need to incorporate the differing requirements of each faith, the local settings, local building rules and acceptable architecture, and yet still produce a harmounious building for those using it and those living nearby; and also the space itself need to be transcendent." - Building Engineer, Ray Needham FAIA FAA/FIPA FMAAT MWOBO