Human – spirituality – spatial experience

Space is experienced with the help of the senses. As a result, a sacred spatial experience is also perceived sensually. The sensory impressions in space work together and not separately. The theoretical section of this work explores the spatial experience and the atmospheres in sacred spaces in connection with the senses. In the practical part it provides a proposal for a space to bring the world religions and spirituality closer together in terms of spatial atmosphere.

The senses offer the opportunity to reach people regardless of faith. More broadly, some spaces are able to harbour a sacral, mystical and sacred atmosphere in which everyone is welcome. Each subject experiences space differently, yet a certain spatial experience creates a sense of community that is able to connect everyone.

In order to dare to unite religions in a spatial atmosphere, the right place is needed. Vienna Airport and the adjacent Airport City provide this breeding ground. The high degree of diversity and cultures, as well as denominational mixture offer the opportunity to integrate a new concept for faith spaces and sacral spaces from different religions. In the future, a new residential quarter is to be built in the immediate vicinity of the airport, the Airport City. The vision for this new city is that it will have about 100,000 inhabitants in 50 years from now. The future will also bring new means of transportation, such as the Hyperloop.

On the ground floor plan you can see the selected building site and design. From the outside, the green ring wraps around the triangular water area. To the east, a waterfront plaza with seating stairs is created. To the west, the individual chapels of the religions are depicted, some of which pierce the surface of the water. The “procession” or the way into the interior and under the water surface takes place over the represented ramps.