a+u 654 25:03 Reinterpretations of Sacredness Generative AI within Architecture

a+u’s March issue interrogates sacredness and how it manifests in architectural space. Taking examples from religious works of architecture in different parts of the globe, such as Saint Pius Church in Switzerland and Bait Ur Rouf mosque in Bangladesh, this issue endeavors to establish a language of light and shadow, materiality, and scale. The notion of “sacred space” is further complicated by the introduction of AI. Guest editor Erwin Viray, using the theme of “sacred space,” introduces generative AI tools that not only illuminate the direction that architectural design may take, but also confront human sensibilities and shared ideas about architectural space. Continuing this exploration, 14 nonreligious projects, such as Luis Barragán’s Barragán House, Álvaro Siza’s Tidal Pools of Leça da Palmeira, and Anne Holtrop’s Pearl Museum, ponder how this sense of sacredness, feelings of awe and serenity, can be introduced into our everyday lives. (a+u)