Sacrality of the Real: A Revelation of Architecture’s Sacrality through the Implementation of a Water Structure onto Arizona State University’s Tempe Campus

Sacred space creates a sacrality of the architecture it resides in. The research paper dissects and answers the thesis question, “what makes a space sacred,” through a research-driven design approach that delivers the thesis prompt, architecture must comprise of intentional design elements that create a physical, perceptual, and spiritual experience to validate its sacrality. The paper introduces research behind sacred architecture and its design elements, and questions how these design elements contribute to the validity of sacred architecture. The research infers that there must be an intentionality behind these design elements. The research leads to the analysis of three case studies that demonstrate the use of sacred architecture’s design elements and validates their purpose and intention. Peter Zumthor, Swiss architect, and two of his projects, the Bruder Klaus Chapel and the Kolumba Museum, demonstrate the use of intentional design elements through Peter Zumthor’s methodology and intention behind his designs. As well, the personal case study, the Holy Family Shrine, showcases sacred architecture’s design elements through the intentional use of symbolism. The analysis leads to the discussion of two design projects, Tabernacle of Humility and Campo, Sacrality Made Real, exhibit and support the analysis of Peter Zumthor’s methodology and works, along with the intentionality of design elements in sacred architecture. In conclusion, it is understood that with symbolic intentionality behind design elements, the sacrality of architecture is revealed, thus creating a physical, perceptual, and spiritual experience.