Multifaith Sanctuary

ACTUAL ARCHITECTURE - Santa Clara, CA - 2013

key words: Accommodation, Ellipse, Flexibility, Historic, Lumber, Multifaith, Students, Universal

THE SANCTUARY - © ACTUAL ARCHITECTURE

The Multifaith Sanctuary is a thoughtful response to the architectural and cultural complexities of designing for all faiths without privileging any tradition. The project addresses the absence of established precedents in multifaith architecture by creating a universal spiritual environment, prioritising inclusivity and adaptability. Located within a historic campus building, the design negotiates the challenge of transformation while respecting the potential for restoration. Spatially, the sanctuary is defined by a geometric evolution: a rectangle at floor level transitions into an ellipse at the ceiling, generating twisted walls that symbolically and spatially enrich the interior. Subtly, the off-axis ellipse indicates the qibla direction for Muslim worshippers, demonstrating sensitivity to functional requirements without overt symbolism.

Materially, the project demonstrates innovation through the use of standard 2×8 lumber stacked in tension with steel and cable supports, supplemented by concrete and LED lighting. This approach merges simplicity, economy, and sustainability, while achieving a striking aesthetic and structural clarity. The sanctuary functions as a flexible space for worship, reflection, and gathering, open equally to students and faculty from diverse backgrounds.

Ultimately, the Multifaith Sanctuary represents an experiment in religious neutrality within architectural expression—balancing spiritual depth, technical ingenuity, and cultural sensitivity, while reframing a conference room into a campus-wide spiritual landmark.