Papers by Stephanie N Gilles
Curso De Arquitectura Liturgica La Arquitectura Al Servicio De La Liturgia 2014 Isbn 978 84 617 2159 7 Pags 172 190, 2014
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Il Volto del Lavoro Professionale: Servizio alla famiglia e alla società, Atti del Convegno "HEART OF WORK", Roma, Pontificia Universitá della Santa Croce, 2017
The design of sacred spaces is an important facet in the professional work of the believer. The w... more The design of sacred spaces is an important facet in the professional work of the believer. The work of a liturgical architect is to bring God to earth through the physical expressions of piety aimed to lift man back to God. This work is of great significance as a means of human perfection, starting with the faithful adherence to the original concept, precision in timing and dimensions, careful attention to details which collectively lead towards a transcendence of design from the material to the spiritual. Its objective is to provide the occasion and the proper setting for the faithful to lift up their aspirations to God, a vertical upward movement reminiscent of the gothic spires that give testimony to the supremacy of the Highest Being.
This paper shall describe Catholic and Protestant sacred spaces, then shall set out to make important comparisons between their respective architectural features. A contrast is made between the elaborate iconography of the Catholic Tradition vs. the austere simplicity of Protestant sacred spaces, especially in the modern Philippine setting: iconoclastic, devoid of sacred images and statues of saints as well as symbols of the sacraments. The actual trend for the latter is that of resorting to transitory spaces such as multi-purpose rooms, auditoriums and concert halls for their worship sessions. This phenomenon of minimalism is evocative of the austere interdenominational prayer rooms found in secular buildings such as airports or hospitals, whereas Catholic chapels in commercial structures such as malls and office buildings continue to revive the neoclassic traditions that enrich these liturgical spaces.
A discussion of the parameters of Sacred Architecture follows: Verticality, Permanence and Iconography, with additional parameters of Dignity and Solemnity for sacred spaces in secular settings, e.g. chapels in shopping centers, as prescribed by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, to ensure meaningful attendance to liturgical celebrations.
Finally, the paper ends with some case studies of actual renovation projects undertaken by the author in her capacity as a liturgical architect, aiming to illustrate how enhancing the aesthetic value of a church or chapel contributes to its overall significance and reinforces its function as a sacred space, engaging its beholder to transcend the material bounds of Liturgical Architecture, thus entering into the spiritual realm.
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Muhon Journal for UP College of Architecture (draft for review)
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published in Muhon Journal for UP College of Architecture, 2014 series, Vol. 4 (internationally peer-reviewed edition)
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17th IUSAM 2012 Seminar Proceedings, Khabarovsk, Russia, Sep 8, 2012
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Sekiguchi Global Research Association Forum in Waseda University, Tokyo - Seminar Proceedings, Oct 29, 2011
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Papers by Stephanie N Gilles
This paper shall describe Catholic and Protestant sacred spaces, then shall set out to make important comparisons between their respective architectural features. A contrast is made between the elaborate iconography of the Catholic Tradition vs. the austere simplicity of Protestant sacred spaces, especially in the modern Philippine setting: iconoclastic, devoid of sacred images and statues of saints as well as symbols of the sacraments. The actual trend for the latter is that of resorting to transitory spaces such as multi-purpose rooms, auditoriums and concert halls for their worship sessions. This phenomenon of minimalism is evocative of the austere interdenominational prayer rooms found in secular buildings such as airports or hospitals, whereas Catholic chapels in commercial structures such as malls and office buildings continue to revive the neoclassic traditions that enrich these liturgical spaces.
A discussion of the parameters of Sacred Architecture follows: Verticality, Permanence and Iconography, with additional parameters of Dignity and Solemnity for sacred spaces in secular settings, e.g. chapels in shopping centers, as prescribed by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, to ensure meaningful attendance to liturgical celebrations.
Finally, the paper ends with some case studies of actual renovation projects undertaken by the author in her capacity as a liturgical architect, aiming to illustrate how enhancing the aesthetic value of a church or chapel contributes to its overall significance and reinforces its function as a sacred space, engaging its beholder to transcend the material bounds of Liturgical Architecture, thus entering into the spiritual realm.
This paper shall describe Catholic and Protestant sacred spaces, then shall set out to make important comparisons between their respective architectural features. A contrast is made between the elaborate iconography of the Catholic Tradition vs. the austere simplicity of Protestant sacred spaces, especially in the modern Philippine setting: iconoclastic, devoid of sacred images and statues of saints as well as symbols of the sacraments. The actual trend for the latter is that of resorting to transitory spaces such as multi-purpose rooms, auditoriums and concert halls for their worship sessions. This phenomenon of minimalism is evocative of the austere interdenominational prayer rooms found in secular buildings such as airports or hospitals, whereas Catholic chapels in commercial structures such as malls and office buildings continue to revive the neoclassic traditions that enrich these liturgical spaces.
A discussion of the parameters of Sacred Architecture follows: Verticality, Permanence and Iconography, with additional parameters of Dignity and Solemnity for sacred spaces in secular settings, e.g. chapels in shopping centers, as prescribed by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, to ensure meaningful attendance to liturgical celebrations.
Finally, the paper ends with some case studies of actual renovation projects undertaken by the author in her capacity as a liturgical architect, aiming to illustrate how enhancing the aesthetic value of a church or chapel contributes to its overall significance and reinforces its function as a sacred space, engaging its beholder to transcend the material bounds of Liturgical Architecture, thus entering into the spiritual realm.