Nova project - Multi faith space
Multi faith space for individual prayer made from an exsperimental
material: honeycomb cardboard.
A installation realized as master thesis in architecture at University of
Udine.
The project will be fitted inside a national and international climate exasperated by over-information and from the inevitable clichés regarding multi-culturalism. The realization of a multi cultural space shouldn’t be an induced need, its implementation must fit harmoniously within a context and respond to a real need inherent in all of us.
The multi cultural space, dedicated to individual prayer, is the result of nine months of studies and surveys. This project consists in three individual units with different volumes, each one characterized by architectural cuts designed to allow natural light to irradiate inside the structure. Those multi cultural spaces have been realized with an experimental
material: honeycomb cardboard.
The design challenge is on two levels, one purely technical and the other one purely social.
The thesis project was born from a deep, almost a-religious, critical analysis, of a set of believes and movements: from the major monotheistic religions, the eastern movements to those movements defined as new religions. The study focused on the spatial needs of the faithful related to the movements that they make during the act of the individual and / or collective prayer. The human body is identified as the vehicle to God, by his body the faithful communicates with the gods and changes also the space around him.
For each studied religious beliefs we were able to synthesize the major movements of the body, obtaining the minimum
spatial units. The numbers of units of this project are the result of a careful analysis and synthesizing of the main elements that are common to all worship places analysed.
The analysis led us to the functional identification, with breakdown thereafter, of individual volumes that characterize all the places of worship. From this breakdown we were able to identify three recurrent volumes: a classroom that connects and hosts collective religious practices; a smaller and intimate volume, like a crypt, where to settle the icon, holy books or religious symbols, and finally a vertical element, that connects the faithful and the divinity, as well as an eye-catcher to the true duties of the faithful. The architectural implementation of these elements has been done by designing three units whit different sizes, placed over wooden platforms. Those three units were designed as parts of a single system, which does not lose its integrity even if the three units are physically separated.
The creation of those spaces white outside and black inside, as well as the decision to not identify those units with a specific name, was born from the primary necessity of a multi faith space to not put any element or symbol recognizable.
There are also a lot of examples on the Italian and European territory, but they are completely white spaces, considering this they are indefinable by their very own nature. Natural light becomes the distinctive design element of the three units, as it can be immensely variable according to the day hour, this allows endless possibilities of light and shade variations within the units. Each unit is characterized by a different architectural cut that allows different types of
natural lighting.
The lighting can range over from a direct light for Unit 1, to a soft light from below for Unit 2 and, finally, a diffused light from above for Unit 3.
The three units were built throughout an internal and external honeycomb panelling system with an internal frame, between the panelling system, made of spiral cardboard tubes. The technical challenge was the study of a polymer-based waterproofing system that would allow us to place the installation outside.
The University of Udine gave us the opportunity to install our multi-religious spaces within one of the two courts of the Scientific center of Rizzi. This occasion has placed in us a number of questions related to the interest, acceptance, knowledge and above all the real need for this space within the University.
Do people need a place for meditation and prayer in spaces that are daily used and that are not ordinary places of corporate prayer?
We want to thank the University of Udine that has allowed the installation of
those three units in one of the courts of the Scientific Centre of Rizzi. We want
also to mention the “Cartimballo” firm from Falzè di Piave (TV), for making
available its technology and knowledge to cut the cardboard panels; “The
Moba Group Eurotubi” of Montorfano (CO) that has kindly provided the pipes
for the supporting frame of the structures and, last but not least the company
“Nordresine” from Susegana (TV) for shearing their knowledge in the study of
a waterproofing system, which would allow outdoor installations.
