The Peace Dome Building
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The overall design of the building is a round shape with a dome shaped roof at the top and has been kept simple intentionally so that it can appeal to adherents of the world’s many religious faiths. It is a big, open, and bright space; a place to which people of any faith could feel comfortable. The universal design is meant to encourage people of different faiths to stop by and pray, meditate, or simply reflect. No overtly religious symbols have been included as these symbols could possibly alienate those of certain religious faiths and make it less likely that people from different beliefs would choose to visit the building.
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The building consists of a circular shaped brick wall that is covered in natural rocks which supports a dome shaped roof at the top. The natural rocks that cover the outside walls of the building incorporate an element of nature into the building. As stated in the Chapter 9 of the “Exploring Art” text book, in many religions, rocks are symbolic of containers or “symbols for spirits or deities.” The dome shaped roof has a main skylight at the center point at the very top. In addition, it has a series of triangular shaped skylights around the top that allow yet more sunlight to enter and circulate throughout the entire building. As also stated in Chapter 9 of the “Exploring Art” textbook, light and sun are often seen as “divine symbols or sometimes spirits themselves.”
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There are a number of small windows just below the dome which consist of stained leaded glass. Towards the bottom there is another series of windows which again consist of leaded stained glass. Many sacred buildings include stained glass with religious imagery. However, in order to create a building acceptable to all religions, no religious imagery was included on the windows. All of the windows create a sense of brightness and warmth within the building and convey an atmosphere of openness and peace.
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Another significant symbolic element is the circular shape of the building because this is often used in many religions to symbolize eternity. Eternal life and/or afterlife are common themes in many of the world’s religions and are therefore an appropriate symbol for a universal sacred space. As such the building can provide a neutral space for all types of religious ceremonies.
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Gathering Room
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The Universal Gathering Room can be used by many religions as a place where members can congregate. The architectural design is very simple and integrates a few principles of modern sacred space design. It is a very large room with a high ceiling and elaborate ornamented columns. There is a podium for speaking which is situated on a low standing stage in order to provide for more of a connection between speaker and audience. The circle on the podium and atop the two far end columns is a very popular religious contour and here represents man’s quest to identify wholeness and comprehend deeper meaning from such a simple shape that is ubiquitous in the world around us (circular shape of earth, sun, flowers, ripples in water, etc). A space that is universal will definitely have the circular form integrated somewhere within its confines. The doors and shape of the stage mimic and support the dome structure of the building which itself symbolizes the curved biome of the earth that gives nourishment needed to sustain life.
The overall design of the building is a round shape with a dome shaped roof at the top and has been kept simple intentionally so that it can appeal to adherents of the world’s many religious faiths. It is a big, open, and bright space; a place to which people of any faith could feel comfortable. The universal design is meant to encourage people of different faiths to stop by and pray, meditate, or simply reflect. No overtly religious symbols have been included as these symbols could possibly alienate those of certain religious faiths and make it less likely that people from different beliefs would choose to visit the building.
.
The building consists of a circular shaped brick wall that is covered in natural rocks which supports a dome shaped roof at the top. The natural rocks that cover the outside walls of the building incorporate an element of nature into the building. As stated in the Chapter 9 of the “Exploring Art” text book, in many religions, rocks are symbolic of containers or “symbols for spirits or deities.” The dome shaped roof has a main skylight at the center point at the very top. In addition, it has a series of triangular shaped skylights around the top that allow yet more sunlight to enter and circulate throughout the entire building. As also stated in Chapter 9 of the “Exploring Art” textbook, light and sun are often seen as “divine symbols or sometimes spirits themselves.”
.
There are a number of small windows just below the dome which consist of stained leaded glass. Towards the bottom there is another series of windows which again consist of leaded stained glass. Many sacred buildings include stained glass with religious imagery. However, in order to create a building acceptable to all religions, no religious imagery was included on the windows. All of the windows create a sense of brightness and warmth within the building and convey an atmosphere of openness and peace.
.
Another significant symbolic element is the circular shape of the building because this is often used in many religions to symbolize eternity. Eternal life and/or afterlife are common themes in many of the world’s religions and are therefore an appropriate symbol for a universal sacred space. As such the building can provide a neutral space for all types of religious ceremonies.
.
Gathering Room
.
The Universal Gathering Room can be used by many religions as a place where members can congregate. The architectural design is very simple and integrates a few principles of modern sacred space design. It is a very large room with a high ceiling and elaborate ornamented columns. There is a podium for speaking which is situated on a low standing stage in order to provide for more of a connection between speaker and audience. The circle on the podium and atop the two far end columns is a very popular religious contour and here represents man’s quest to identify wholeness and comprehend deeper meaning from such a simple shape that is ubiquitous in the world around us (circular shape of earth, sun, flowers, ripples in water, etc). A space that is universal will definitely have the circular form integrated somewhere within its confines. The doors and shape of the stage mimic and support the dome structure of the building which itself symbolizes the curved biome of the earth that gives nourishment needed to sustain life.
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The room is targeted as a space for worship by all religions who believe in one or more higher beings and so resembles the gathering rooms often found among those religions. Hanging on the wall in the background are two spiritual paintings that signify a universal style of worship available to all. The left abstract painting is titled “Prelude to a New Renaissance” created by an artist named Gilles Mansillon. It is a vortex of “creation” and the renaissance referred to in the title is of a new universal spiritual connection with the world around us. The right painting is another abstract painting that can be used by many religions. It is a painting by Victoria Neal, a spiritual artist who creates paintings that “build [bridges of universal understanding] from this world to the next”.
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Earth, Air, Fire, Water, Spirit.
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Earth- “Karensansui” design box, garden, Bonsai Trees
Air- Wind Chimes, the roof is mainly a tinted skylight to let light in
Fire- Fireplace, candles, outdoor firepit
Water- Pond indoors and outdoor stream
Spirit- a place to enjoy nature and refresh your spirit
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In designing my Sacred Space, I kept in mind that most religions do respect nature and look at is as a great gift as well as a necessity of life. I wanted to show that nature is a calming, beautiful and essential part of our lives. As you step in the room, you see candles on the right which you can light and put on shelves. There is a small box with sand and rocks in it called “Karesansui” or Japanese Rock garden. This is used sometimes for people to reflect on their day, or just to appreciate the simplistic beauty and ever changing design. Outside I have put a large garden for people to walk and enjoy nature outdoors. Wind chimes hang from the roof and so people can enjoy the sound they make when the wind stirs them. Benches sit on the grass so people can sit down and relax and enjoy nature in a peaceful and safe and beautiful area.
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Music Room
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The music room is a place where all different religions can come and worship through different musical rituals. Music is a big part of most religions, and it is usually through music that most religions believe they can get in touch with their higher being; making the music room very important. The room has a very simple design in which all the instruments are moveable as well as the stage. There is also a large amount of seating so others can listen and participate, and there is great sound projection so that the sound can be heard very clearly throughout the room. There is no specific feature that ties it to any one particular religion; this is to insure that no one is offended.
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Tranquility Sitting Room
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Another area within the Peace Dome Building is the Tranquility Sitting Room. The Tranquility Sitting Room is a place of transition between the gathering room and the garden area. There are two rugs and natural lighting (from the window and fire lamp) that fills the space and creates a soothing ambiance. Visitors can sit in the chair, meditate on the two large rugs (one is Persian and one is Chinese), and lounge on the pillows that are scattered throughout the room while enjoying time in a relaxing environment. There is no clock in this room so guests of this sacred quarter will not have to deal with burden of time in their worship.
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Overall, the design of the Peace Dome Building provides an excellent space in which all religions can coexist.
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