Religious Architecture Research Articles

Creative Applicability of Dunhuang Floral Tiles in Architectural Modern Interior Decoration

Dunhuang art encompasses a variety of art forms. The production of interior furnishings in conjunction with Dunhuang floral tile art through moulding, painting, or carving methods was designed. Local artists' participants were interviewed and observed while recording data using a camera, video, and group discussion. There are 419 architectural models and mural replicas at the Dunhuang murals, which are ongoing at the Mogao caves’ grottoes in Gansu province. Temples of Dunhuang: Buddhist Art on China’s Silk Road, Dunhuang floral tiles with patterns are unique in shape, novel in conception, rigorous in structure, vivid in the image, and numerous in number and variety as a form of art for demonstrating their intrinsic, deep historical origins and cultural Chinese Buddhist culture. Dunhuang cave art is closely related to Buddhism. Chinese classical religious architecture protects relevant cultural relics, and the creative applicability of Dunhuang floral tiles in modern architectural interior decoration is significant.

The Sacred Architecture of Josep Lluís Sert

An unknown aspect of Josep Lluís Sert (Barcelona, 1902–1983) is his deep engagement with Christian spirituality, particularly following his American exile. This perspective is beautifully reflected in his religious-themed projects, among which historiography has highlighted the church of Puerto Ordaz (Venezuela, 1951), the Chapel of St. Botolph (Boston, 1963–1968), and the Carmel de la Paix Chapel (Mazille, 1967–1972), designed, respectively, before, during, and after the Second Vatican Council. Using these three well-known projects as a starting point, our aim is to expand the discussion around this topic to encompass the entirety of Sert’s sacred architecture. The contributions of Sert to the design of modern religious architecture are analyzed in this study, firstly through the distinctive aspects of his architecture, such as its urban scale and interactions between various plastic arts, and secondly through his theological references. This study is based on Sert’s original drawings, as well as specific bibliographic sources and articles from specialized journals. At the same time, it seeks to highlight an aspect of the architect that, despite the significance and brilliance of his designs, has received little attention until now.

Motif Flora Dan Fauna Pada Candi Hindu Masa Kedatuan Sriwijaya Untuk Pembelajaran Sejarah

This study aims to explore the themes of flora and fauna motifs on Hindu temples during the Srivijaya period as part of the study of the history and art of religious architecture. The main objective is to understand how these motifs reflect the cosmology and spiritual values ​​of Hindu society during that period. The research methods used include descriptive analysis of temple reliefs in Sumatra, literature review of archaeological sources, and comparison with motifs on other Hindu temples in Southeast Asia. This analysis technique involves detailed observation of floral elements such as leaves, lotus flowers, and trees, as well as fauna such as birds, snakes, and mythological animals, which are often found on temple reliefs. The discussion focuses on the symbolic meaning of these motifs, where flora is often associated with fertility and life, while fauna symbolizes strength and wisdom. This study also discusses how these motifs function as a medium to convey spiritual values ​​and emphasize the harmonious relationship between humans and nature. The conclusion of this study shows that the flora and fauna motifs on Srivijaya Hindu temples not only function as aesthetic elements, but also have deep religious meanings. These motifs provide important insights into how the Srivijaya people combined their beliefs with a respect for nature, as well as their contribution to the understanding of Hindu history and culture in the archipelago.

Eclecticism in Augustan Temple Architecture

In the history of architecture, eclecticism is clearly associated with 19th-century architecture. This paper focuses on the fact that eclecticism is a way of thinking, a design concept in which the architect combines high-quality architectural elements from different periods to achieve the desired effect on his building. This approach is often necessary to meet client demand. This philosophy was also used to serve the imperial intention, as a study of the temple architecture of the Augustan period states. The aim of this paper is to look at eclecticism not primarily as a style but as a design method that has been present throughout history. My hypothesis was, that that eclecticism was viewed in its entirety significantly more in the age of Augustus than in the 19th century. To underline my findings, I examine a list of significant buildings, such as the temple of Iuppiter Capitolinus and the temple of Venus Genetrix were influenced by early architectural origins, such as the typology of Vitruvius, the characteristics of the Etruscan or Tuscan temple - and examine such. Further, I have a detailed look at the general features and particular characteristics of the temple architecture in the Augustan period, I conclude with and the temple renovations - the Temple of Concordia, the Temple of Castor and Pollux, the Temple of Apollo Sosianus - and the newly erected sacral buildings - the Temple of Divus Iulius, the Temple of Mars Ultor, the Monumentum Ancyranum. This paper demonstrates that the eclectic approach of the early imperial period was so complex that it focused not only on the external appearance but also on the internal design and furnishings.

The Baroque Religious Architecture of Paredes de Coura, Portugal, and the Transformation of the Territory

This study explores the intricate relationship between Baroque religious architecture and the transformation of the territory in Paredes de Coura, Portugal. Between the second half of the 17th century and the first half of the 19th century, Paredes de Coura, located in northern Portugal, gradually transformed its religious spaces and buildings. Parish communities and private initiatives, driven by a deep religious motivation and favourable conjuncture factors, rebuilt, enlarged, and built dozens of chapels and churches from scratch, mostly in Baroque configuration but with differentiating characteristics. This process gradually gave the rural landscape a unique singularity, i.e., a transformation of significant cultural and historical importance. Numerous artisans constructed these buildings and filled their interior spaces with works of sacred art, mainly carved altars, originating primarily from Paredes de Coura and Alto-Minho municipalities. This systematic study, based on the analysis of contemporary documentation of religious buildings and extensive fieldwork, ensures the thoroughness and reliability of our research and aims to disseminate the data related to this process, presenting an overall reading of religious architecture and seeking to understand the reasons which were at the base of the construction of such a large number of temples in the municipality of Paredes de Coura during this period that changed the territory. This also highlights how Baroque religious architecture was a product of artistic and spiritual ambitions and a powerful agent of territorial reconfiguration, affecting settlement patterns, infrastructure, and social hierarchy. The legacy of these transformations continues to influence the region’s cultural landscape today.

Domniemany romański kościół św. Katarzyny Aleksandryjskiej w Sędziszowej (powiat złotoryjski) w świetle dotychczasowych badań archeologicznych

In 2009–2010, the Institute of Archaeology of the Jagiellonian University carried out archaeological research on the relics of an alleged sacral building in Sędziszowa (Röversdorf) near Świerzawa (Schönau) in Lower Silesia. The surroundings of this village and of the nearby Nowy Kościół (Neukirch) were associated with a cluster of early medieval settlements connected with the Wleń (Lähn) district (castellania).Before the research began, only one corner of the building was visible. One result of the work was that its plan was identified as a three-element towerless structure, which consisted of a rectangular nave, a rectangular chancel and apse (semicircular), as well as a sacristy adjacent to the chancel from the north.Although the written sources do not make it possible to clearly define the function of the temple, considering the scale of the foundation, it should be assumed that it was a church built around the middle of the 13th century. It must have ceased to exist quite early - probably no later than in the first third of the 15th century. There is also a lack of certainty about the church’s presumed patrocinium (St Catherine of Alexandria).

Adaptive Reuse of Russian-Influenced Religious Architecture in Harbin: Architectural Identity and Heritage Tourism

Adaptive Reuse of Russian-Influenced Religious Architecture in Harbin: Architectural Identity and Heritage Tourism

Tangible and intangible ex post assessment of flood-induced damage to cultural heritage

Abstract. Floods pose significant risks to cultural heritage (CH), yet post-disaster damage data on CH remain lacking. In this paper, we address this gap by focusing on the ex post assessment of flood-induced damage to CH. The method involves the identification of damaged assets and a field survey to assess loss in tangible value (LTV) and loss in intangible value (LIV). The potential contributing factors, e.g. water depth and river slope, are analysed through geospatial analysis. Ex post damage data on CH are compared with the outcome of an ex ante analysis based on available methods to verify the quality of exposure data and possible limitations. The method is applied to the 15–16 September 2022 flood event that occurred in the Marche region (Italy). The survey involved 14 CH in 4 municipalities and 3 catchments. Results highlight the inadequacy of existing exposure data for ex ante damage assessment and the importance of building characteristics. However, ex post data confirm that religious architectures are likely to suffer the highest LTV and LIV. The ex post damage analysis provided a semi-quantitative evaluation of both LTV and LIV in relation to flood characteristics. Notably, significant correlations between LTV and flood depth, as well as with the slope of the riverbed (a proxy for river flow velocity), were found. LIV correlates well to flood depth and river slope albeit with lower R2 and larger RMSE, highlighting that intangible impact analysis requires more effort than hazard characterization. Further research should increase the availability of ex post damage data on CH to form the basis for damage model validation and development of empirical vulnerability functions.

A arquitetura religiosa no sudoeste de Goiás: Igreja de São Sebastião em Rio Verde e Igreja do Divino Espírito Santo de Torres do Rio Bonito (séc. xix e xx)

This article analyzes the religious architecture produced in southwestern Goiás in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, especially the Churches of São Sebastião in Rio Verde and Divino Espírito Santo in Torres do Rio Bonito, present-day Caiapônia. We aim to understand, based on the constitution of ecclesiastical heritage, the plans, parties, volumes, formal elements and modifications of the only examples of this architecture in the region. We thus seek to record an architectural production with vernacular bases and contribute to the historiography on the subject.

The Legacy of Lithuanian Architect Stasys Kudokas in the United States of America: Sacred Architecture Based on Hope and Expectations

Abstract Many Lithuanian intellectuals fled from the occupied Lithuania during the Second World War and after it, including the most famous architects who created the architectural language of interwar Kaunas Modernism. After escaping from the war-torn country to the United States of America, they resumed their professional pursuits while living in exile. Stasys Kudokas – one of the most prominent and productive architects in the interwar Lithuania – also pursued his carreer while living in exile. Yet his architectural heritage in the United States of America is still an under-researched topic. The Lithuanian diaspora press remains one of the most comprehensive sources exploring Kudokas’ professional path in the United States of America. By using descriptive and comparative methods, this study aims to examine the most important projects by Kudokas for the Lithuanian diaspora and the related expectations of Lithuanian communities, reflected in the diaspora press. This study will reveal that the reflection of Lithuanianness in the architecture designed for the Lithuanian community was the most important criterion for evaluating Kudokas’ legacy in the exile press.

DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF A NOVEL INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL FOR VIRTUAL REALITY BASED TEACHING FOR ART HISTORY COURSE

Art history classes can be challenging for students without an art history background. Recognizing these challenges is the first step to finding practical solutions. The integration of innovative digital technologies into art history classes is a creative way to discover novel delivery methods and could also help motivate students and enhance their learning. VR visualizes abstract concepts and theories and allows students to virtually visit historical sites with a sense of presence. Research is focused on creating educational material with two different VR approaches, 3D animation, textual information, and photos for an undergraduate level Art History course on the Süleymaniye Complex in Ottoman Religious Architecture. VR-integrated course material development needs well-designed multidisciplinary collaboration. A collective effort was needed to determine the competencies and digital technology-based delivery methods by experts in art history, architectural history, educational sciences, and graphic design disciplines. The educational material includes VR-based (6DOF) walk-through software and Quicktime VR-based (3DOF) panoramic photos, 3D animated narratives, and textual-photographic information about the building. Once materials were developed, they were demonstrated to a small group of teachers, research assistants and students in a VR technology-equipped classroom. The feedback from the participants showed that the instructional material was qualified to positively affect the students' level of interest, learning, and retention. This innovative approach has significant educational potential, however its realisation depends on tight collaboration between course teachers, educational specialists, designers and IT specialists, which is not always easy to access.

Women’s religious communities and patronage in the UK

This paper discusses women as architectural clients through an examination of Roman Catholic nuns as patrons, designers and in some cases builders of religious architecture. The paper offers two case studies to explore the roles that women assumed in religious communities: the first, a chapel commissioned and built by a community of Carmelite nuns in Wales during the 1950s and the second, a recently completed abbey in the North of England. The examples highlight the evolution of female agency in the built environment and how this has been impacted by the professionalisation of architecture.

Constructing a Semantic System of Facade Elements for Religious Architecture from a Regional Perspective: A Case Study of Jingzhou

The application of semantics in facade elements mainly involves the association between architectural elements and their cultural, historical, or functional significance. By analyzing the shape, layout, and decoration of various elements (such as windows, doors, decorative patterns) in facades, semantics helps us understand the symbolic meanings and cultural implications behind these design choices. This study selects twenty-eight pavilions and buildings from five temples and Taoist sites in Jingzhou City as the research objects, exploring the composition and patterns of religious architectural facades in Jingzhou through the extraction of structural and decorative elements. The study establishes the “Semantic System of Façade Elements in Jingzhou Religious Architecture”, from which the distinctive characteristics of Jingzhou religious building façades are identified. The study finds that side halls predominantly feature hard gable roofs, while the main halls use double-eave hip-and-gable roofs, reflecting differences in architectural hierarchy. The sack with three arrows pattern is the most widely used in door and window decorations, demonstrating the aesthetic preferences of the Jingchu region. Both side halls and main halls commonly adopt high podiums, with the main hall podiums typically exceeding twenty steps in height, which is closely related to Jingzhou’s climatic conditions and architectural hierarchy. This study provides scientific evidence for the preservation, new design, and harmonious integration of traditional culture and architectural features in regional religious architecture.

Bidirectional Transmission Mapping of Architectural Styles of Tibetan Buddhist Temples in China from the 7th to the 18th Century

Architecture is the stone book of history, and the evolution of architectural styles showcases a non-verbal history constructed through images. As an important part of China’s historical and cultural heritage, the architectural forms and styles of Tibetan Buddhist temples were initially modeled on Tang dynasty temple architecture and gradually evolved into the most significant architectural types in regions such as Tibet and Qinghai in China. Religious architecture has also played a significant role in shaping regional cultural landscapes. Existing research on Tibetan Buddhist temples is primarily focused on qualitative studies of individual temple buildings. This research takes the spatiotemporal evolution of architectural styles of Tibetan Buddhist temples as an entry point and, for the first time, employs ArcGIS technology to visualize the spatial and geographical distribution of Tibetan Buddhist temples from the 7th to the 18th century, establishing a comprehensive academic vision that encompasses both historical stratification and cross-regional spatial correlations. By analyzing the cultural symbolic features embodied in the construction styles of Tibetan Buddhist temples and the visual characteristics reflected in their decorative arts, we propose two spatiotemporal dimensions for the formation and transmission of Tibetan Buddhist temple architectural styles: “Westward Transmission” and “Eastward Diffusion”. Firstly, from the 7th to the 9th centuries, the architectural style and construction techniques of Tang dynasty Buddhist temples were transmitted westward along the Tang–Tibet ancient road, integrating with local Tibetan elements to form the Tubo architectural style, which was further refined into the “Sino–Tibetan Combined Style” with strong visual characteristics around the 13th century. Subsequently, along with the spread of Tibetan Buddhism, this temple architectural style underwent an eastward diffusion from the 13th to the 18th century, reaching regions, such as Sichuan, Qinghai, Gansu, Inner Mongolia, Hebei, and Beijing, presenting a spatial gradient from west to east in the geographical dimension. On this basis, in this research, we construct a historical evolution mapping of Tibetan Buddhist temple architectural styles based on bidirectional transmission, attempting to elucidate that the intrinsic driving forces are religious and the cultural identity that guided the bidirectional transmission mechanism of these architectural styles under the historical context of the formation and dissemination of Tibetan Buddhism from the 7th to the 18th century.

ASSESSMENT AND PROTECTION OF THE CULTURAL RESOURCES OF THE NADWIEPRZAŃSKI LANDSCAPE PARK

A landscape park is one of the legal forms of nature protection in Poland. It is a protected area due to its natural, historical, cultural and landscape values for preserving and popularising. The Nadwieprzański Landscape Park is located in southeastern Poland, on the middle section of the Wieprz River. The Park was established in 1990 and covers an area of over 6,000ha. The research aimed to identify resources, recognise threats and develop guidelines for protecting the cultural heritage elements of the Nadwieprzański Landscape Park. In the Park, there are monuments from various historical periods, e.g., former fortified settlements, castles, palaces and manor houses, churches, synagogues, war and religious cemeteries, granges, distilleries, mills, railway stations and small objects of sacral architecture, i.e., crosses and roadside shrines. In addition to immovable monuments, an essential part of the region’s intangible cultural heritage is a tradition in the form of holiday customs and rituals, legends and traditional crafts. It is impossible not to mention people associated with the region, their knowledge of this subject and the need to document oral traditions. Protection and preservation of heritage for future generations and rational use of environmental resources significantly affect the constant and sustainable economic development and may improve the standard of living of the local population. Unfortunately, many changes occurred within the Park due to various reasons. These are both natural causes, resulting from the destructive impact of environmental and material changes resulting from the passage of time and reasons related mainly to the lack of proper supervision of the facilities by the legal user, e.g., historic palaces and park complexes. In summary, objectives of the so-called passive, i.e., formal and legal ones and goals of the nature of active – conservation activities and the nature of activities restoring the lost cultural values of the region’s cultural heritage.

Ecclesiastical Ergonomics? Human Factors in Traditional and Modern Sacred Architecture

Recent innovations in building materials, design methods, and construction techniques have allowed architects to experiment with new and daring architectural forms. While Modernist and Contemporary architecture may be innovative, its effects on human users tend to be mixed. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of traditional and modern styles of ecclesiastical (church) architecture in supporting certain aspects of human psychological and physiological well-being, namely restorative and focusing effects. A literature review was performed to identify spatial, lighting, and decorative design features thought to support these human factors, with a particular focus on the design theories of Biophilia and Prospect-Refuge. These features were compared to design aspects of traditional and modern church architecture. Traditional architectural styles were found to incorporate more features identified as supporting restorative and focusing effects than modern styles. Recommendations were developed for adjustments to church spaces to improve the subjective experience of visitors.

Analisis Makna Simbolik Ornamen Kuil Buddha Dalam Konteks Keagamaan

The aim of this research is to understand and analyse the symbolic meaning of the ornaments in the Mahabharata Maitreya Temple as well as the role of these ornements in conveying the teachings and values of Buddhism. Maha Vihara Maitreya is located in the city of Medan, Indonesia. It is one of the largest Buddhist temples in Indonesia and has a variety of architectural and decorative elements that are rich in symbolic significance. Maha Vihara Maitreya also adopted many of the characteristic elements of China in every detail of the building and its ornaments. The research uses a qualitative approach with case study methods that include field observations, in-depth interviews with one of Vihara's managers and related literature analysis. The results showed that every element in the Majesty Maitreya, from the architecture of the building to the ornaments on the sculpture, had a profound symbolic significance and served as a medium for the transmission of Buddhist teachings to its followers. In addition, the temple also played an important role in strengthening the Buddhist identity of the field and its surroundings, as well as becoming a centre of religious and cultural activity. This research has made important contributions to the understanding of symbolism in Buddhist religious architecture and its implications for religious practice and identity of communities, in the city of Medan, North Sumatra.

From decay analysis to conservation plan of post-Vatican II religious architecture: Research on the Church of the Holy Family by Paolo Portoghesi in Italy

After the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965) religious architecture represented a pivotal era of transformation within the Catholic Church. This liturgical reform aimed to deepen the engagement of worshippers in the liturgy, fostering a more direct connection between the congregation and the celebrant. Architects responded by radically reimagining the design and aesthetics of sacred spaces and embracing innovative materials and construction techniques such as reinforced concrete. This shift enabled the creation of bold, symbolic structures characterized by simple geometric forms, fluid spaces, and enhanced transparency, utilizing natural light to evoke sacred atmospheres. An outstanding example of this architectural paradigm is the Church of the Holy Family in Salerno, Italy, designed by Paolo Portoghesi and Vittorio Gigliotti, starting in 1968. Built entirely in reinforced concrete, this church embodies the fusion of technical innovation with spiritual exploration, typifying ecclesiastical postmodernism. Despite their architectural significance, many postconciliar churches face challenges today, including insufficient conservation efforts and inadequate community recognition. This research focuses on the Church of the Holy Family in Salerno, investigating its evolution, technological advancements, and conservation needs. A comprehensive Conservation Plan is proposed to safeguard this architectural heritage, integrating analyses of degradation and restoration interventions. By addressing these aspects, this study aims to ensure the preservation of this postconciliar religious architecture within contemporary urban and social contexts.

Orthodox church architecture of the Kuban settlements of the late 18th – first half of the 19th century

A retrospective analysis of the history of the architecture of Orthodox churches in Kuban from the end of the 18th to the first half of the 19th century was carried out on specific objects of religious architecture. The historical approach allows us to consider these objects as unique elements of the architectural and urban heritage of the period under study. The special value of Orthodox churches in the concept of forming a holistic environment of urban and rural settlements is indicated. The main means of artistic expression based on volumetric planning techniques, with the help of which the compositional image of the temple is created, are noted. The presented illustrative material graphically displays the scientific content, executed on certain visual images of religious architecture structures and visually complements the text material. Great importance is given to the current issues of integrity and sustainable balance of modern buildings and structures with previously erected religious architecture objects and monuments of historical and cultural heritage.

The Evolution of Worship Space in the Yungang Grottoes under the Influence of the Silk Road

With the spread of Buddhism, cave temples, originated from India, were introduced to Central Asia via the Silk Road, and then to mainland China. This foreign religious architecture took root in China and completed the process of gradual Sinicisation. The worship space defines the core of the cave temples architectural space. This article takes the Yungang Grottoes as an example to explore the evolution of Buddhist worship spaces. Indian Buddhist architecture has produced two most basic forms of worship spaceright-hand space and prostration spacewhereas in Central Asia, Buddhist architecture has undergone great changes in style, but the basic prototype of the worship space is still composed of Indian Buddhist principles: it still follows the two worship spaces of right rotation and prostration. In the Yungang Grottoes, the two worship space have been influenced by both native India and Western Central Asia, combining with the characteristics of the Han Dynasty to develop and evolve.