Interfaith Sacred Space
Design Competition 2003
The competition challenged designers to create a non-site specific sacred space that inspires people to practice their own faith traditions alone, in a group, or together with other faiths. It should be a place where all people feel comfortable, welcome, and respected.
I chose to address the individual’s inner reality as sacred space, with water as the external unifying element. Rather than design a physical space, this idea uses water as the symbol of all religions’ fundamental virtues – it is universal and life-sustaining.
While others build structures to control sound, one only needs to position the ear below water to create silence, which is required for the inner reality to be heard. Silence allows the heart to be animated with His Spirit, connecting us to the focal point of communion. Inspiration received through this meditation is immeasurable. Water also lightens the body and frees the mind. This sacred space is available to anyone, anywhere there is water. It is not bound by structures or geography, but rather creates a truly universal language for worship and reflection.