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Making Sacred Space

Series

Harvard University

Term

Fall 2025

Instructor

Christine Smith

Cathedrals are some of the most intricate and historically impactful architectural instances. Not only are their design elements indicative of the theological priorities and focus of the global Church at that time, but their programmatic requirements are highly complex. The course content covered the history of Roman Catholic Church design in great detail, and the final exercise was to apply that knowledge in the design of our own cathedral. Part of this objective was representing the focus of the Church as it exists in contemporary times, not to imitate historic imagery. This proposal emphasizes nontangible elements as a representation of the deity and divine power of God, specifically through light. Transforming the church into an experience of light is theologically, aesthetically, culturally, and experientially in line with the trends of spiritual spaces in current times. These elements, paired with meticulous plan design, result in a Cathedral that is not only functional per the liturgy, but beautiful and wonderful as a representation of the global Church and a House of God.

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