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This is true even when something is constructed on a site where an event occurred as a memorial to that incident. For example, Ground Zero is a sacred space because of what happened there and not because of a memorial that will be constructed there. Similarly, some religious structures are retained or erected on or near the site of some significant event or memory: for example, the Western Wall, the remnant of the Second Temple, and the Ka'bah where Abraham is believed to have set up a shrine in the Valley of Baca (Mecca). A place of worship becomes sacred when someone has a conversion experience there, when someone is initiated into the religion there, when someone falls in love there, when someone is buried there. It becomes sacred as soon as someone touches or venerates an icon or holy book, or when prayer actually occurs there. It becomes sacred as soon as the Bible, the Koran, or the Torah is proclaimed to the worshipers. Thus, the sacred is experienced when a memory is triggered, or when there is an interaction between the believer and someone or something else in that space. A successful religious building or site is one that enables these "religious" experiences to happen. In turn, the spiritual transformations that occur there can convert what was once an ordinary space into a sacred one. Nevertheless, there are time-honored ingredients which, when used harmoniously, can constitute a space that is conducive to the experience of the sacred or holy. Among them are scale, proportion, materiality, color, light, acoustics, and location. The application of these elements will vary in different cultures. The way in which the building is laid out is also important. What follows is a brief overview of some of these spatial factors. Elements of Sacred SpacePathways. The idea of a spiritual journey is common to Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. The hajj is a once in a lifetime pilgrimage to Mecca to honor the prophet Abraham, and Ishmael, and to renew the commitment to God's way of life. The Jewish exodus marks the passage from slavery to freedom. The way of the cross can remind Christians of the aspects of the life of Jesus. This notion of journey is exemplified in the pathways leading to places of worship. Esplanades or sidewalks from parking areas can guide worshipers as they move from one area to another before arriving at the worship center. These pathways move people from the outside world to the inner precincts where one may hope to find a sense of the sacred. The ubiquitous automobile and dangerous neighborhoods have compromised the notion of pilgrimage. In the suburbs the challenge is to keep cars away from the hallowed grounds—the inner precincts. In the city, well-lighted, barrier-free, and beautiful walkways can contribute to a pleasant experience. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Contents |
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