Modern Architecture and the Sacred: Religious Legacies and Spiritual Renewal

Modern Architecture and the Sacred explores how architecture and the sacred have overlapped in the 20th century, with a focus on iconic modernist architects and the invocation of semi-sacred spaces within secular buildings.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 10 February 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Modern Architecture and the Sacred offers a timely exploration of the intricate connections between architecture and the sacred in the 20th century. Through a comprehensive collection of 16 contributed chapters, the book showcases a diverse range of case studies, featuring the influential works of iconic modernist architects like Le Corbusier, Alvar Aalto, and Mies van der Rohe. These chapters collectively illustrate how sacred and semi-sacred buildings have become central phenomena within modernism. By examining these works, readers gain valuable insights into the deeper motivations and complexities that shape the modernist project.

The case material extends beyond discussions of explicitly religious buildings, encompassing invocations of the semi-sacred within secular structures such as museums, exhibition pavilions, and memorials. This expansion of the notion of sacred space adds depth and richness to the exploration, shedding light on the role of spirituality in the philosophical foundations of modern architecture, whether explicitly religious or otherwise.

This collection stands out as a valuable resource for scholars, architects, and enthusiasts alike, providing a deeper understanding of the interplay between architecture and the sacred in the 20th century. It encourages readers to reevaluate the role of spirituality in contemporary architectural design and its impact on the human experience.

Weight: 654g
Dimension: 156 x 234 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350294356