SaWa

Transformations of Sacredness: Religious Architecture in Urban Space in 21st Century Germany

SaWa—Project Site

The project is a collaboration between CERES and the Chair for the History and Theory of Architecture at the Technical University of Dortmund. The researchers document, analyze, and interpret the transformations of architectural design and position in urban space of contemporary religious architecture in Germany since 1990. It is an interdisciplinary project, connecting the study of religions and the history and theory of architecture. Its overarching goal is to understand how, given the increase of religious and cultural diversity, Christian, Jewish, and Islamic architecture is situated in urban space, how its form conveys meaning, and how these aspects influence social interaction.

Religious transformations in the wake of migration and pluralization influence the role of sacred architecture in urban space. Many churches, for instance, are in the process of re-use, closure, or even demolition. At the same time, there has been an increase of newly built mosques and a re-orientation in the architecture of synagogues in the last twenty years in Germany. The three mentioned religious traditions undergo transitions with regard to the design and style of their places of worship. Often, these new designs are not easily understandable to visitors and believers alike. In addition, the role of contemporary sacred architecture in its relation to urban space is changing: Which meanings do sacred buildings convey, how do they position themselves in urban space, and how do they structure it and provide orientation? In a cooperation of the study of religions and the history of architecture, we seek to study the transformations of both material and symbolic design of contemporary sacred architecture in Germany in a comparative manner. We will survey Christian, Islamic, and Jewish sacred buildings, i.e. new constructions, re-used and demolished buildings since 1990 in Germany. Selected buildings will be studied in detail regarding their meaning and position in urban space

Duration

09-2018 - 08-2021
 

Funded by

 

Affiliated Persons

Photograph of Prof. Dr. Volkhard Krech

Prof. Dr. Volkhard Krech

Project Leader

Universitätsstr. 90a
44789  Bochum
Office 3.12
+49 234 32-22395
volkhard.krech@rub.de
WS

Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Sonne

Project Leader

TU Dortmund, August-Schmidt-Str. 6
44227  Dortmund
Office Campus Süd GB I, Raum 212
+49 231 755‑4197
wolfgang.sonne@tu-dortmund.de
Photograph of Dr. Martin Radermacher

Dr. Martin Radermacher

Project Management

Universitätsstr. 90a
44789  Bochum
Office 3.13
+49 234 32-24697
martin.radermacher@rub.de
Photograph of Dr. Beate Löffler

Dr. Beate Löffler

Research Associate

TU Dortmund, August-Schmidt-Str. 6
44227  Dortmund
Office Campus Süd GB I, Raum 208
+49 231 755-7930
beate.loeffler@tu-dortmund.de
Photograph of Dunja Sharbat Dar

Dunja Sharbat Dar

Research Associate

Universitätsstr. 90a
44789  Bochum
dunja.sharbatdar@rub.de
Photograph of Dr. Kim de Wildt

Dr. Kim de Wildt

Research Associate

kim.dewildt@rub.de
CE

Carlota Esser B.Sc.

Research Assistant

TU Dortmund, August-Schmidt-Str. 6
44227  Dortmund
Office Campus Süd GB I, Raum 208
+49 231 755-7930
carlota.esser@tu-dortmund.de
Photograph of Julia Poganski M.A.

Julia Poganski M.A.

Research Assistant

julia.poganski-w1n@rub.de