A More Sacred Space – Process Book

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(Right Page) Facade of Grundtvig’s Church in Copenhagen.

The stepped gabled roof is a common element in rural Scandinavian churches – an appropriate nod to the roots of the Danes’ religious traditions.

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Contents Part I: Research

Introduction Exploration Purpose Research Paper

Part II: Exhibition

Exploration Execution

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Part III: Conclusion

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(Right Page) Chairs inside Grundtvig’s Church. Movable seating can reduce stress by giving users the ability to manipulate their environment. The wooden frames and straw seats also double as natural noise-reducers.

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Introduction

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We have all experienced something sublime. Maybe it was the way the sun shone through the trees as you rode your bike home — or perhaps it happened while watching a loved one laugh. When life presents us with sacred moments like these our perspective shifts. We feel a deeper connection to humanity that is so visceral, it is near impossible to express. In those moments, our capacity for creativity and self-reflection enlarges. Answers to difficult problems or questions are resolved more easily. As I have had my own moments of enlightenment, one thing has become clear – our environment has a significant impact on our ability to have sacred experiences.

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(Previous Pages) The aisles and communion table within Grundtvig’s Church. (Center) I reached my thesis through brainstorming different ideas centered around sacred architecture.

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Exploration

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Purpose

(Right Page) Quote from Jonas Salk on the discovery of the polio vaccine. After many unsuccessful attempts, Salk retreated to the Basilica of Assisi in Italy. It was here that Salk finally received the inspiration he needed to formulate a cure for polio.

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The purpose of my research was to understand how we, as creatively and spiritually-driven individuals, can manipulate our environment so that inspiration comes more readily, stress is reduced, and our ability to feel joy is enhanced. Specifically, I wanted to research this within the context of sacred architecture. Worship is central to the lives of millions, and sacred spaces provide a setting for individuals to receive enlightenment and invoke self-reflection.

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In the early stages of my research, I learned about the work of neurologists and architects who are trying to quantify the effects of our environments on behavior.

Most of the research dealt with the implications of environmental factors within healing settings such as hospitals and care facilities. As I read, I came to the conclusion that nearly all of the factors that yield positive effects were found in the successful sacred spaces I have encountered. I therefore wanted to advocate these features as ways to enhance the way we worship.

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“the spirituality of the architecture there was so inspiring that i was able to do intuitive thinking far beyond any i had done in the past. i returned to my laboratory in pittsburgh to validate my concepts and found that they were correct.� - j.s.

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Research Paper

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exhib

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Exploration

(Right Page) Early thumbnail sketches of stained-glass designs to represent natural light, access to nature, and noise reduction.

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For the visual execution of my research, I focused on three of the most significant architectural features of sacred space: natural light, access to nature, and noise reduction. I placed these ideas within the context of a stained glass window – a symbol associated with religious architecture.

Within that frame, I designed three different natural environments to represent the features I chose to highlight.

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Execution

(Left Page) Setting up the exhibit. (Right Page) Stills from video documenting the exhibit. To view, go to vimeo.com/92423271

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I created an animation out of the three stained glass designs, and projected the animation onto a sheet of Plexiglas hung with fishing line. This gave the illusion that the panel was hanging in mid-air, suggesting transcendence.

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Conclusion

(Right Page) Ample natural light within Grundtvig’s Church makes artificial lighting unnecessary during most of the day. Even brief exposure to natural light is proven to have a significant impact on our overall happiness and satisfaction.

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Modern architects like Le Corbusier taught us that good architecture is functional. Good architecture is more than structure, it is a tool. It does not simply provide a space for living, it facilitates it.

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Mediocre sacred architecture has become the norm. The loss is not only aesthetic but functional.

The purpose of sacred space is blunted when we substitute value for cheapness; thoughtfulness for convenience; and exceptionality for conventionality. Through my research, I have learned that successful sacred space is not unattainable. It is rather a matter of making its function a priority.

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a m s s Š Sam Wood All images provided by the author, unless otherwise indicated.

Typeset in Apercu and Fette Kanzlei.

Special thanks to the BYU Graphic Design faculty (Adrian Pulfer, Eric Gillett, Brent Barson, Doug Thomas, Ray Elder, & Linda Reynolds), my wife & family, & my classmates.