Spirituality exists in architecture. It involves a deep connection to our surroundings and it can be fostered by the homes we build. Designers and builders focus sufficient attention on the functioning of homes (the kitchen works for cooking, the bathrooms is sufficient, etc.), but there is a gap in addressing some of our deep (some would say basic) human needs. Connecting to a higher power through our immediate surroundings is one of those needs. So how do we build environments and spaces that help us foster a greater connection to our surroundings? You may have heard designers talk about poetics, meaning, and other ethereal aspects of a place. Hopefully this article can make some sense of these invisible qualities. One challenge is the inherent subjectivity of topic — spirituality in the built world means different things for different people. So first we will define what we mean by spirituality as an experience in the build environment. Below are some characteristics.
- Feelings of unity
- Balance and harmony
- Effortless in functioning (“in the zone”)
- Gratitude towards a higher power
- A sense of completeness
- A sense of relaxation and contentment
There are aesthetics that provide an integrated approach to the ultimate nature of existence (metaphysics), spirituality, emotional well-being, and the look and feel of things (materiality). They tune the spiritual element of consciousness to the material, aesthetic world.
Rustic design is one example of such an aesthetic system. It embodies the imperfect, individual, idiosyncratic, impermanent, unique, and incomplete nature of the world and appreciates a close attention to the natural order of things. In our contemporary world the artificial and contrived often overshadow the authentic and genuine. Use of a weathered material (or a material that will weather over time), implies a certain history or narrative of time as people observe and experience that material. We prefer materials that tell a story and provides a “moment.” This is why we at Gast Home spend so much time curating the materials we use in our projects, all the way down to the specific finish, from the large format rough stone tiles to our reclaimed, wide plank wood flooring. Concrete can be “weathered” and it technically comes from the earth, but its surface stands out as clearly not something found in nature. It just depends on what the goal of the space is. For a space that is relaxing and is designed to foster a connection to nature, we prefer materials that come directly from nature with minimal alteration, providing a direct connection. Alternate materials and experiences can then be “revealed” behind these surfaces, like in our hide and reveal kitchen, where doors open to reveal a technologically advanced kitchen.
But using rustic materials is just one piece to the puzzle of the connection we are seeking. This brings us to our other senses. Architecture can engage people with a focus on seeing, hearing, smelling, and touching. A place feels alive when it engages more than just sight. Our senses have a profound impact on the spiritual experience. When people use all of their capacities at their fullest, they feel more perceptive, more intelligent, stronger, and more graceful than at other times. By employing full sensual engagement in design, the built environment encourages a focus on the present, a “here-now” mindset. Creating a richer, fuller sensual experience creates an awareness (conscious or subconscious) of one’s surroundings, and on a path toward an awakening. The connection between the senses, the physical world, and the spiritual realm is echoed by the idea that the human experience is determined as much by the nature of the mind and the structure of its senses, as by the external objects whose presence the mind reveals. If that makes sense to you, great. If not, don’t worry about it. Just understand that it is not enough to simply engage our senses with certain materials, textures, and light, though it is a big part of it. We must organize materials in a unique way, so that the specific place we create, is perceived as different from all the other places.
We have talked about Biophilic Design in other posts. We also talk about how to connect a home to the landscape. As we discuss, it is the careful design of materials and spaces, but also creating a sense of continuity with our surroundings. Nature already possesses immense power, and we can build in a way to connect to the rhythms of nature and harness this power.