This issue of a+u magazine interrogates sacredness and how it manifests in architectural space.
Taking examples from religious works of architecture in different parts of the globe, such as Saint Pius Church in Switzerland and Bait Ur Rouf mosque in Bangladesh, this issue endeavors to establish a language of light and shadow, materiality, and scale. The notion of “sacred space” is further complicated by the introduction of AI. Guest editor Erwin Viray, using the theme of “sacred space,” introduces generative AI tools that not only illuminate the direction that architectural design may take, but also confront human sensibilities and shared ideas about architectural space. Continuing this exploration, 14 nonreligious projects, such as Luis Barragán’s Barragán House, Álvaro Siza’s Tidal Pools of Leça da Palmeira, and Anne Holtrop’s Pearl Museum, ponder how this sense of sacredness, feelings of awe and serenity, can be introduced into our everyday lives.
Architectural Space and Religious Practices
Franz Füeg, Saint Pius Church
Eero Saarinen, MIT Chapel
Tadao Ando Architect and Associates, Meditation space, UNESCO
Marina Tabassum, Bait Ur Rouf Jame Mosque
Andra Matin, As Sobur Mosque
Atelier Deshaus, Upper Cloister in Golden Mountain
Essay: Sacred Space in Architecture – AI Ideas, Erwin Viray
Essay: Reconsidering Sacred Space Through AI, Image Generation, Ryotaro Yanagi, Ryoma Nishida, Kazuki Uemura, Nana Tsuzuki, Yukiha Asano
Essay: On Cats, Dunces, and the Uncannily, Human Talents of Generative AI, Mario Carpo
Architectural Plane: Ground
Oscar Niemeyer + gru.a. From Where You Can’t See – Temporary installation on MAC
David Chipperfield Architects, Cavea Arcari
Trahan Architects, Fundo Tic Toc Pier
Architectural Plane: Wall
Luis Barragán, Barragán House
Valerio Olgiati, Atelier Bardill
Álvaro Siza Vieira, Tidal Pools of Leça da Palmeira
Architectural Plane: Openings
Studio Anne Holtrop, Siyadi Pearl Museum
Leeon Architects, Yoon Dong-ju Memorial Museum
USE studio, Qaeli Guest house
DAAZ Office, Jadgal Elementary School
Architectural Plane: Roof
LUO Studio, Prepared Rehmannia Root Crafts Exhibition Hall
Tabanlıogˇ lu Architects, Beyazit State Library Renovation
IROJE Architects and Planners, Aquarius Pyramid
Studio Olafur Eliasson, The Weather Project
This issue of a+u magazine interrogates sacredness and how it manifests in architectural space.
Taking examples from religious works of architecture in different parts of the globe, such as Saint Pius Church in Switzerland and Bait Ur Rouf mosque in Bangladesh, this issue endeavors to establish a language of light and shadow, materiality, and scale. The notion of “sacred space” is further complicated by the introduction of AI. Guest editor Erwin Viray, using the theme of “sacred space,” introduces generative AI tools that not only illuminate the direction that architectural design may take, but also confront human sensibilities and shared ideas about architectural space. Continuing this exploration, 14 nonreligious projects, such as Luis Barragán’s Barragán House, Álvaro Siza’s Tidal Pools of Leça da Palmeira, and Anne Holtrop’s Pearl Museum, ponder how this sense of sacredness, feelings of awe and serenity, can be introduced into our everyday lives.
Architectural Space and Religious Practices
Franz Füeg, Saint Pius Church
Eero Saarinen, MIT Chapel
Tadao Ando Architect and Associates, Meditation space, UNESCO
Marina Tabassum, Bait Ur Rouf Jame Mosque
Andra Matin, As Sobur Mosque
Atelier Deshaus, Upper Cloister in Golden Mountain
Essay: Sacred Space in Architecture – AI Ideas, Erwin Viray
Essay: Reconsidering Sacred Space Through AI, Image Generation, Ryotaro Yanagi, Ryoma Nishida, Kazuki Uemura, Nana Tsuzuki, Yukiha Asano
Essay: On Cats, Dunces, and the Uncannily, Human Talents of Generative AI, Mario Carpo
Architectural Plane: Ground
Oscar Niemeyer + gru.a. From Where You Can’t See – Temporary installation on MAC
David Chipperfield Architects, Cavea Arcari
Trahan Architects, Fundo Tic Toc Pier
Architectural Plane: Wall
Luis Barragán, Barragán House
Valerio Olgiati, Atelier Bardill
Álvaro Siza Vieira, Tidal Pools of Leça da Palmeira
Architectural Plane: Openings
Studio Anne Holtrop, Siyadi Pearl Museum
Leeon Architects, Yoon Dong-ju Memorial Museum
USE studio, Qaeli Guest house
DAAZ Office, Jadgal Elementary School
Architectural Plane: Roof
LUO Studio, Prepared Rehmannia Root Crafts Exhibition Hall
Tabanlıogˇ lu Architects, Beyazit State Library Renovation
IROJE Architects and Planners, Aquarius Pyramid
Studio Olafur Eliasson, The Weather Project
