Name: How do you build a sacred space?
Uploaded: 2017-04-17T14:48:33Z
Duration: 12 min 36 s
Description: To design the Bahá'í Temple of South America, architect Siamak Hariri focused on illumination -- from the temple's form, which captures the movement of the sun throughout the day, to the iridescent, luminous stone and glass used to construct it. Join Hariri for a journey through the creative process, as he explores what makes for a sacred experience in a secular world.

To design the Bahá'í Temple of South America, architect Siamak Hariri focused on illumination -- from the temple's form, which captures the movement of the sun throughout the day, to the iridescent, luminous stone and glass used to construct it. Join Hariri for a journey through the creative process, as he explores what makes for a sacred experience in a secular world.

How do you build a sacred space?

Architecture has the power to move people emotionally, as seen when a security guard was visibly touched by a building’s beauty. Designing the Bahá’í Temple of South America meant creating an open, light-filled sanctuary without precedent, using innovative materials like custom-cast glass and rare Portuguese stone. The temple’s nine luminous wings welcome all backgrounds, capturing light throughout the day and symbolizing unity and inclusivity. Its creation shows that sacredness can be reimagined for today, sparking wonder even in a modern, diverse society.