NODEM 2014 Proceedings

Spiritual Wonder Project: Crossing Boundaries to Create Engaging Spaces for Experiential Spiritual Journey...
Inside – Outside | “Connection Piece” as an Engaging and Interactive Experience
This “seen- unseen” theme then became a point of contention and further research: how can one design this
“connecting piece” as an “engaging place” that one can experience? Can one design an experience that feels like
a journey that transport one from material world and transcend them to the “other realm?” What does “realm”
mean? What does “journey” mean and what is a “destination?” What this journey “from inside to outside” symbolize?
Does it needs to represent just the physical movement, or can it be experienced as spatial as well as spiritual
journey? Can one experience spirituality through art? All team members agreed that art can lead one to experience
spirituality. The design team then debated what does spirituality mean? How can one define spirituality? Is it
religiosity or is it connection with larger energy source then us? All notions and connotations of religiosity were
rejected. However, the spiritual aspects of all religious traditions were carefully considered and where appropriate,
adapted in designing the threshold changes, and development of inside-outside connections.
The design team considered Nature and Universe as “larger energy sources then humanity.” Varieties of ancient
cultural traditions were explored to understand this aspect of design including ancient Indian tradition of playing
drums to create sound vibrations to awaken the inner self. The idea of monks walking within the cloisters
and the circumambulation of pilgrims around a temple or a stone were also researched to augment the development
of the movement from “within – to out.” This circular movement within the cloisters and temples or
stones matched the design of the ramp. Design efforts were then focused on how to connect the patrons who
might view art objects only as material manifestation displayed within the gallery and not see nature as awe
inspiring art? This then led to exploration of natural elements and what do they symbolically represent? How
can one represent water, fire, air, and earth in design? How can it be utilized in construction? Many architectural
and natural precedents were examined and studied in detail to understand the importance of all the questions
mentioned above. Each discovery was documented through sketches, diagramming, model making.
Figure 5. Design development phase: Portal design and circulation and path-place relationship diagram
Credit: Laura Stockdell, Interior Architecture and Product Design Students, APDesign, Kansas State University.
Art as Catalyst For Critical Thinking and Creative Discovery | Experiments
in Sound and Lighting Design
To develop this project as an “engaging experience,” the design team started developing design ideas for the
ramp and garden area. The dance and music department collaborators were invited to provide their input. The
design team reviewed the music and dance performances being prepared by the students and shared their
NODEM 2014 Conference & Expo
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