Paper on Spiritual Architecture
In the 15th century Leon Battista Alberti, a Florentine artist and architect, specified guidelines for religious buildings. In particular he called for adherence to pure form, that is a circle, or a shape derived from a circle such as a square or hexagon. Over the centuries since then, scientific research and experience with sacred buildings has supported the importance of pure form for spiritual connection with architecture.
A spiritual building must create a sense of sanctuary. A mystical and poetic dimension creates quiet serene harmony. On first seeing the building there is a sense of calmness and serenity. On entering the building we feel separated from the mundane, connected to the heavens.
Take a look at these examples of sacred space architecture:
1. Jubilee Church, Rome, Italy
This design is based on a series of squares and circles. Pure white surfaces maximize the effect of the light. The shape provides a grounded look to the building, but with a definite upward gaze.
2. Chapel of St Mary of the Angels, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
The exterior shape is all curves. The form is sympathetic to the natural landscape. Clerestory windows let in natural light in the day, and create a halo effect at night.
Inside, intimate space is created by the curved walls and blue color. This is the color of a medieval Madonna’s robe, and a Byzantine cathedral interior.
3. Our lady of the Ark Church, Paris France
The building is a perfect cube. This represents simplicity and the equal sides reflect the presence of the one and only.
4. White Temple, Kyoto, Japan.
Here we have a simple box in a park like setting. The simplicity of the structure represents purity of space. By day the building announces its presence. By night the form is lost. It becomes defined by the light emitted - a metaphysical presence. Inside there are simple white steps, with a Buddha as the focal point
These architect defined spiritual spaces all feature common components:
- Geometrical shapes
- Light infused space
- Natural wood and stone
- Reverence for light and earth
- Space for peaceful contemplation
- Connection with nature – which itself is a spiritual act
Are these circles and squares just an architect’s concept of the spiritual?
Sacred Geometry
Sacred Geometry is the study of spiritual patterns which create everything in the material world. It is a key to expanding human spiritual awareness, so any effort to apply the knowledge is a constructive act of healing. Sacred Geometry includes much ancient knowledge. However many important scientific breakthroughs of the modern world have come about from scientists re-discovering the same concepts of divine pattern taught in ancient spiritual schools.
A great example of this comes from the Greek schools of 2500 years ago where it was taught that there are five perfect 3-dimensional forms -The tetrahedron, hexahedron (cube), octahedron, dodecahedron, and icosahedron.
Collectively these are known as The Platonic Solids. These solids were thought to be the foundation of everything in the physical world. Modern scholars ridiculed this idea until the 1980's, when Professor Emeritus Robert Moon at the University of Chicago demonstrated that the entire Periodic Table of Elements—literally everything in the physical world—is based on these same 5 forms!
We have learned that Sacred Geometry is the blueprint of Creation and the genesis of all form. It is an ancient science that explores and explains the energy patterns that create and unify all things and reveals the precise way that the energy of Creation organizes itself. On every scale, every natural pattern of growth or movement conforms inevitably to one or more geometric shapes.
As you enter the world of Sacred Geometry you begin to see as never before the wonderfully patterned beauty of Creation. The molecules of our DNA, the cornea of our eye, snow flakes, pine cones, flower petals, diamond crystals, the branching of trees, a nautilus shell, the star we spin around, the galaxy we spiral within, the air we breathe, and all life forms as we know them emerge out of timeless geometric shapes. Viewing and contemplating these shapes allow us to gaze directly at the lines on the face of deep wisdom and offers up a glimpse into the inner workings of the Universal Mind and the Universe itself.
Geometric shapes actually represent the manifest stages of 'becoming'. Working with geometry we can help abolish our false notion of separateness from nature and from each other. Through geometric shapes we can discover the inherent proportion, balance and harmony that exists in any situation. We connect with the divine.
The Circle
The Platonic Solids all fit perfectly within a sphere – the ultimate perfect shape. The circle is a two-dimensional shadow of the sphere which has been regarded throughout cultural history as an icon of oneness; the indivisible fulfillment of the Universe. At the center of a circle or a sphere is always an infinitesimal point. The point needs no dimension, yet embraces all dimension.
The circle has long had great spiritual meaning. Some say “Christ” means “Circle.” Circle represents the beginning and end, the Alpha and Omega. The circle is a symbol of equality. Each is seen as important to the whole, and none is more important than any other. The circle is a way of expressing the relatedness of all things – events, feelings, thoughts and relationships. Native Americans called this circle of life “The Medicine Wheel.” They believe a whole life is balanced in relation to all things – physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. For Native Americans, ceremony begins with honoring the circle of all things.
Conclusion on Spiritual Architecture
Sacred buildings through the ages have been based on simple geometric forms. These same forms are the building blocks of life around us – the building blocks our creator uses for our DNA, crystals, flowers, and planets. The case is conclusive. For spiritual connection build with simple geometric shapes.
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