More on Spiritual Architecture

By Cray Shellenbarger

In order to design universally engaging spiritual architecture, a secular approach is required. Also, this understanding must go beyond what is typically viewed as religious. There is a universal feeling of spirituality that should be strived for. Human beings have a natural inclination to the building environment. The work analyses the natural inclination and the reasoning being the purpose and results of this longing. The purpose is not to argue the existence of any entity or the validity of religion or spirituality on society as a whole. The focus will range from the architectural elements that influence the spirituality of space to the manifestation of cultural influences in these spaces. Along with the built environment it is important to understand the spiritual contributions of outside spaces. These naturally forming spaces such as a forest or a cave can have significant effect on the human psyche. These spaces bring us closer to the “universal oneness” that is called by many names but is experienced by all people.

There are various physical elements that influence how we experience a particular piece of architecture. Aside from the obvious symbolic elements of spiritual architecture, there are other aspects of the design that have a tremendous impact on us. Light and proportion are two of these. According to Mark Torgerson, depending on how light and proportion are arranged, we may get a feeling of transcendence or a feeling of immanence in the space. This matters because depending on a person’s beliefs, a different relationship with God, for example, may be required.

The commonalities amongst various religions, spirituality and natural settings should be carefully studied. Along the same lines it is crucial to understand the effect of secular architecture on the occupant. Through research one can begin to understand the differences and similarities amongst these spaces. The particular religion or belief system doesn’t matter. This discussion should discuss how light, layout or whatever else influences these spiritual spaces generally. It is understood that different individuals view places of worship or natural spiritual spaces in very different ways. With this said, one must discuss how each views the environment. It is understood that some could not care less about where they are worshiping. This study is of the physical spaces that are important to those whom occupy them.

The connection between the built and natural environment provides interesting clues as to what has made forms evolve over time. Inhabitants of natural environments can have transcendent experience in a natural environment just as well as the built. It is integral that we understand why this is so we can apply the elements to what we build. This may show that the answer to our built environments is a reference to nature. This is not meant in the “green” sense but in connection back to nature.

Another question to be explored is why humans are inclined to build for reasons aside from necessity. Every culture has looked toward that which they do not understand to help them through life’s problems. The understanding of why humans look to this requires much research. In my opinion there is something in the human psyche that we try to fulfill by reaching to the divine.
How do “spiritual” spaces affect humans as a culture? How do they interact with the individual? These spaces and buildings have a tremendous affect on us. There is something in our psyche, mentioned before, that motivates us to build and praise. Regardless of what we are praising, whether it be religion, ideals, materialistic views or whatever, most of us try to fulfill this “emptiness” with something.

It is essential that society understands why a particular space is spiritual. A place becomes holy through symbolism and reference. There reason an occupant feels a certain way in a space is because of decisions made by the designer. It is not an entity that makes a place spiritual but the designer’s understanding of specific elements and cultural ideals that influence the to be inhabitants. Although not the intent, this statement raises the question of the results affect on society. What if it is proven that there is no “spirit” in a building? The spirit of a building is the experience. This, in no way, argues the existence of a god or its influence or presence in the space. If the feelings people have in a space are controlled completely by other humans does it make these feelings arbitrary?

Cultural predispositions have a remarkable affect on the interpretation of a particular space. Over time, this may fall out of the architect’s hands. The architect must do his best to understand what will happen in the future. Even with the maximum amount of research, a historical event can easily change the perception of a design. This is a problem for the study. The massive number of variables make the exact interpretation of a space almost impossible to control. However, it discusses the serious importance of understanding the cultural views of a population. Although we cannot control the future cultural position we must understand the current ideals and how future views may change.

The manifestation of these cultural influences is a valid area of interest in regards to the topic at hand. These influences have a dramatic affect on layout, form, symbolism and ultimately experience. How do current cultural influences affect a design. What is it about a culture that causes certain design criteria to be adopted into a project? Nothing is random. We must research the past, present and future plans of an area in order to understand what needs to be designed and to develop an adaptable one for the future.

The concept of “universal oneness” is also something to be incorporated into this discussion. Many people have had what can be explained as a spiritual experience in a natural place. It can be said that bringing oneself closer to nature will make an individual closer to happiness. It is argued that this is because humans are all connected spiritually.