“sacred spaces”
A sacred space can be defined as a space—tangible or otherwise—that enables those who acknowledge and accept it to feel reverence and connection with the spiritual.
This spiritual experience can be represented generally as the relationship between humans and a “higher power”. Nature plays a dominant role in all living things, and can be argued as the highest power that is tangible to humans. In nature, water is a dominant presence that is in a constantly active state. As humans have been abusing water as a resource throughout history, they need to understand the inherent power of nature and their relationship with its elements, specifically water.
Situated into the coast of the Illulissat fjord and the edge of Sermeq Kujalleq in western Greenland, this space will be a reminder of the sea level rise crisis caused by the rapidly melting ice caps that display the true power of water in its threat to submerge the world’s largest coastal cities. This water pilgrimage starts off with a several hours long boat ride ito the fjord, with its final destination being the precise moment where ice meets land and water. Visitors then approach the space by land and is well introduced to its active environment controlled by water, to then experience the finale of the humbling journey within this space.
Since the water level will rise, the design will create a space which will inform us of its consequence.
Visitors will venture into the space and they will feel a gradual declension of themselves in contrast with a gradual ascension of the space. The ambiguity of the sea level marked on to the architecture will allow visitors to interact with the water at different moments. The final experience of the space will be inspired by the feeling of submission and acquiescence, wholly consuming the visitor in a disturbing stillness, reminiscent of the tranquility after a catastrophe – the calm after the storm.
Ryerson School of Interior Design Fourth Year Thesis
By Priscilla Lee
January 2015 - April 2015
Programs Used: Autocad, 3D Rhino,, Illustrator, Indesign, Photoshop
