We will be using an octagon space, for its harmony and honest representation. We chose this for its cross between a circular base (commonly an ancient design) and geometrical ones (like in the pyramids, Dome of the Rock, Rothko Chapel, which all employs sides and geometrical polygons).
The building is white in color to fade in the natural sunlight. We think that there is something special about the sunlight that seems to generate a calm spirit and cheer. White is a symbol of peace. We agree on white for its emphasis on peace and serenity as well as the beauty upon green grass and blue sky on a sunny day, which will reflect of white to make a pleasurable atmosphere.
The structure should be big enough for visitors, but not so big that it seems grandeur or overdone; modesty is a value respected by all. The size should be large enough for approximately four hundred people. We chose this size because anything larger can take away from much needed intimacy. A mega space such as many of the Christian Churches in DFW can be so impersonal. Also, this will make the space less crowded and less bumping and complaints will be issued. However, many local centers should be present so that all religions and cultures can connect but with a more personal outlook!
We decided that we needed a roof without symbols but massive enough to draw attention. A steeple would represent a church which may offend other religions. A neutral ornament or no ornamentation would be much more appropriate. Personally, we think we should have a circular sort of roof that embraces the top of the octagonal center. We should also have a golden metallic roof, so that people can be attracted to it. The metallic will reflect the sun and cause shine, which will bring attention to the space. It should be in a popular place so that people can view it more frequently, and it should still not be too small, but rather big compared to other houses and normal buildings to attract attention from passerby people. We love the idea of an open hole in the center to allow in light and allow visitors to see the heavens, sky and stars. There will be a huge skylight so as to give the “nature” experience, and as some of our team members discussed wanting to have no roof, this will give that feeling while still adding some zing to the structure by adding a metallic roof.
We thought that there should be natural and minimal ornamentation when it comes to the sacred space. The Rothko Chapel has a great water feature which seems to calm the sprit before entering the space of meditation. There should be writings on the windows that talk about unity, peace and universal brother and sisterhood. It should be like in the Dome of the Rock, except with a universal religious touch. We should have these things on the entrance as well. We should have plants and lights around the building to keep the place neutral of religion and more of one thing: to worship God/Gods and praise His/Their creations. We should also have the writings engraved on colored glass windows. We should also have a few statues or objects that represent coming together and peace, or common ideas and values. Furthermore, we should dedicate one holiday or weekend to the center, where people may have special privileges and parties while enjoying this holiday in the religious center.
First of all we should have an entrance that all visitors enter and exit through, so they share the same experience when first entering and leaving. One entrance should be facing the east for the rising of the sun and an exit facing the west for the setting of the sun. This idea is both simple but effective. This should represent the coming of the and as the day goes by, they leave, as does the sun. It adds a sort of spiritual romantic attitude to the place. We think that it should have writings, for example on windows, which write about unity and peace. We also think that it should be square and symmetric, to emphasize trust and harmony. Furthermore, most of us agree the sun rises and sets in the same place each day. It should have a semicircular top that should be colored glass and beautiful.
We want common rooms for all religions, no separate rooms for a separate religion. We think that the interior space should be used primarily for meditation, and so the meditation room is going to be the biggest and will have no ornamentation at all. There will be mostly open space, but we will have other rooms, such as:
- Conference Center, this is where different leaders and members can meet, as well as where decisions about the center are made.
-Reception Area, where different people can meet together and new people will be introduced to the community.
- Unity Chamber, where all can do some sort of unity jig or ceremony to celebrate religions of the whole world.
- Party Area, to organize wedding and funerals as well as one universal holiday!
- Meditation Room, very large, no ornamentation and where people can meditate
- Reading Room, where religions can learn about each other
- Learning Place, where children are taught the basic values of unity, peace and harmony and good values are instructed.
- A Playground and Garden Area, where people can just have fun and enjoy their stay in the Religious center! Here they can value God/Gods creations and see its beauty in action. Parents will enjoy this playground for their kids and be compelled to join the religious center and hear what it speaks.
We should have abstract sculpture in the space so as not to distract from those meditating. Seating is optional but may be needed during special ceremonies. We think that there should be one very special structure to the sacred space, and that it should be named The Circle of Unity. In this structure, we should make a bunch of people of all races and make them holding hands in a circle. We should emphasize the individuality of each religion, but make it look like they are all together and worshipping together as one. This will make very religious people feel like they are in the right place for the right reasons, to keep their religion, but to interact, pray and meditate with others! Inside the Circle of Unity, there should be a circle inside it, which should have written words engraved on it. These words should speak of unity and togetherness. We should have other structures for people to sit and enjoy the space. A large globe should be in middle of the structure to provide a since of togetherness of the world's religion and there should be a water fountain around the globe structure.
The exterior is a great place for water features, vegetation native of the area and abstract sculpture. We think that we should use the color to reflect the sun. We should use natural plants and animals, birds, for instance, to make the whole place look like
God/Gods brilliant works! We should try to make the meditation room simple, but we should make other areas more natural and arboreal. We think nature stuff should definitely be in the midst on the center, and the color should reflect off the metallic roof to attract visitors. The windows are to be colored, like Chartes Cathedral and have written words, like in the Dome of the Rock. The sun coming through the colored windows with written words on it will make the writing more noticeable and readable.
Because nature is an experience common to people around the world, (the sun, the earth water, plants etc.,) we think making it a major theme of our universal space would work. The floor should have a natural feel to it to make people feel like they are still in nature while inside the shrine. We want a garden present somewhere at the site and incorporate a special portion of the structure to have a skylight.
We should have an opening ceremony every year to keep the energy going for the religious center. The opening ceremony can draw and invite religious leaders from around the world. We should invite different cultures' speakers and religious leaders to talk about unity and peace. The focus can be on their religions and help to spread it to other religions. This is a great way to share your faith with other nations and cultures.
We will make common ground speeches that will discuss the brilliance of being together to meditate and pray. A quarterly event can be sponsored to introduce a specific religion to the area. Because of the curiosity and interest of people in grand leaders and new religions, more people will join the structure and realize the brilliance of going “universal”. We should offer people trips to go around the world and witness various religious centers. This will provide an opportunity for peacemaking and diversity to be introduced. We should offer a tour or a video clip about religious destinations in the world as part of our weekly magazine and an essay about each religious space. In the opening ceremony, we should have an event something like the Olympics where it is held every 4 years or so. We certainly wouldn't want to do anything to cheapen it like advertising it as if it is a theme park. It would also be nice for people to visit on their own time when it might be less crowded. Visitors do not necessarily have to be there at the same time to have the same "universal" experience. We think the place should be advertised as a place to find one's self instead of finding religious sanctuary. There should be a nice opening to unveil the structure and invite the community. Offer the structure to the world with a website and get local business to help promote the hotels around the structure.
Inside our Sacred Space, we have a special structure called “The Circle of Unity”. We think it should be completely secular and just symbolic. We decided to make people of all races holding hands in a circle while emphasizing the individuality of each religion, but make it look like they are all together and worshiping like best friends. This will make very religious people feel like they are in the right place for the right reasons, to keep their religion, but to interact and pray and meditate with other people of different religions!
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