Center for Spirituality, Dialogue and Service, Northeastern University

Center for Spirituality, Dialogue and Service, Northeastern University
Boston, MANortheastern University’s Center for Spirituality, Dialogue and Service was designed to provide the specific requirements of 13 distinct religious faiths while simultaneously maintaining neutrality to not bias any specific orientation, faith, or iconography. The main hall serves as a sacred space, and two antechambers function as mediators and collector spaces for the various users. Located within an existing building with no natural light, the main hall is clad in glass, illuminated from behind to create ambience. Organized on an east-west axis, the space is capped with three suspended domes, making orientations possible. This project found ways in which the mandatory features of the renovation (HVAC system, lighting, and acoustic baffles) became part of the symbolic attributes of the space. The domes’ surface is all perforated, bringing natural air into the space, while also housing the sprinkler system and focal lighting. These elements solved practical problems while also fulfilling the mission of a multi-faith space with a very limited budget.
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Size: 6,200sf
Selected Awards:
Harleston Parker Medal
AIA IFRAA, Religious Art and Architecture Design Award
BSA Young Architects Design Award
I.D. Magazine Annual Design Review Award: Environments
International Association of Lighting Design Award of Merit
IES, International Illumination Design Award
BSA Unbuilt Architecture Award







