THE DESIGN OF SECULAR SACRED SPACE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Research questions and Abstract
Thesis Sub-projects
A. Burner Culture Encylopedia
B. Secular Altar Box,
C. Thesis Proposal Booklet
Capstone Project
1.
Can sacred space be designed for a secular audience?
If yes, what are the physical and sensational elements that make space feel sacred for a secular audience?
ABSTRACT
This thesis seeks to uncover relationships between the designed elements of sacred spaces, regardless of religion or beliefs. These elements may relate to sensory experiences, and how they play a role in producing the feeling of being in the presence of a higher power. This topic is relevant in today’s increasingly secular, and digitized society. As many people are viewing the world with a more agnostic or atheist approach, what will happen to sacred space and how we experience it? Along with being relevant in today’s society, this topic has been relevant since the start of humanity. Time and time again human beings have sought out or created spaces dedicated to sacred rituals, gatherings, reflection, ceremonies, and more.
2.
A.
BURNER CULTURE ENCYCLOPEDIA
This project aimed to create a visual encyclopedia about a cultural phenomenon related to my thesis project.
The culture phenomenon I chose was "Burner Culture". Burner culture refers to the lifestyle, belief structure, sometimes compared to religious tendencies of people who attend the Burning Man Festival. Although many philosophers and critics have claimed that Burning Man is a religious event, it is rooted in humanistic and entirely secular beliefs. The Burning Man Festival is frequently described as sacred, despite its lack of religious origin or intent.
B.
SECULAR ALTAR BOX
The Secular Altar Box is a mini alter with no defining religion or beliefs. The altar comes with cards that include prompts to inspire different ways to use the altar. However, people are invited to interact with the altar in any way they like.
The materials and design of the altar were chosen to create an aura that inspires a meditative state. I built the altar by creating the structural and geometric design in Illustrator and then using a laser cutter. The geometric and seemingly complex shapes etched into the altar are inspired by sacred geometry, an ancient visual system based on ratios and forms found in natural phenomena. Many religious and spiritual symbolism has derived from these shapes. However, I purposely created the shapes to be complex enough to read no religious symbolism, yet the sacred geometric structures are evident.
When light shines through the material and geometric shapes, vibrant images project onto the walls, building an awe-inspiring atmosphere in the space encompassing it.
C.
THESIS CANDIDACY BOOKLET
This project’s objective was to design a booklet with the purpose of pitching my thesis topic to a committee for approval. The guidelines were loose, but the design needed to be strong enough to support my research topic and convince the committee members of its strong candidacy.
For the booklet’s design, sacred geometrical shapes and ratios inspired me as well as architectural forms and shapes within sacred spaces. The design goal was not to create a feeling of sacredness but to subtly reference it without pushing any ideologies or beliefs on the reader.
3.
CAPSTONE
My capstone project consists of five secular sacred spaces in New York (Gloconda Skatepark, East Williamsburg/Bushwick, Socrates Sculpture Park, Grand St Bridge, and The Strand).
In the book, I use photography and text to uncover the connections between the space, design, and inherent sacredness.
This project's final product will consist of six booklets, each composed of nine pages, enclosed in a box.
Additionally, I will provide a link to a SoundCloud with audio samples from each space.
Each space consists of different design attributes, which I set out to connect with their feelings or sacredness.
The design attributes I studied include:
COLOR
CONTRAST
SHAPE
SCALE
TYPOGRAPHY
In addition to each space's design elements I sought out to observe, I developed a list of crucial parameters that each space much fulfill. These parameters are:
SECULAR— The space does not have any religious connotation or forced beliefs.
DETACHED— The space feels removed from the outside world.
REFLECTIVE. — The space evokes deep contemplation.
MYSTICAL— There are hidden meanings, messages, symbolism in the space.
REVERENCE— The space is inherently treated with respect.
AWE-INSPIRING— The space provokes a sense of something larger than oneself (a sense of awe).
ONENESS— Provokes curiosity but also content about the unknown (part of a collective purpose).
GLOCONDA SKATEPARK
EAST WILLIAMSBURG/BUSHWICK (HOME OF ROBOT RAE)
SOCRATES SCULPTURE PARK
GRAND STREET BRIDGE
THE STRAND
