‘Church architecture describes visually the idea of the sacred, which is a fundamental need of man.’ Mario Botta (Architect)

Architecture does not teach us what the sacred is, but it may touch it and draw others to it. Its responsibility to the sacred is, therefore, truly solemn. Architecture interprets holiness and offers it to the people.  (Architectural-review.com)

The history of architecture is concerned more with religious buildings than with any other type, because in most past cultures the universal and exalted appeal of religion made the church or temple the most expressive, the most permanent, and the most influential building in any community.

The typology of religious architecture is complex, because no basic requirements such as those that characterize domestic architecture are common to all religions and because the functions of any one religion involve many different kinds of activity, all of which change with the evolution of cultural patterns. (Britannica.com/topic/architecture/Religious-architecture)

Spanning centuries of religious building design, the styles and building construction techniques change and evolve. Modern architecture still has to provide the same experience and emotive response as structures from centuries ago.  

Whether it be a unique location, a place to seek and welcome sanctuary necessary for devotion to holiness, a soaring structure to convey the feeling of ascending to heaven and proximity to the worshipped god or goddess – do you like all the styles, does modern architecture still feel ‘religious’ ? Look through these images of some amazing religious structures and see how you feel about them…

All images featured in this post and on Kaleidoscope are available for licensing.  Please contact us at info@universalimagesgroup.com

Sources:

www.architectural-review.com/today/architecture-does-not-teach-us-what-the-sacred-is-but-it-may-touch-it-and-draw-others-to-it

www.britannica.com/topic/architecture/Religious-architecture