Project scenarios for the regeneration of sacred spaces

Abstract

Sacred space is a unique type of architectural environment with historical
(temporal), social, cultural, semantic, ritual-functional, spatial-architectural, psycho-emotional
(perceptual), memorial, landscape, and ethical aspects that organize a visible and invisible
multilayered system. In the course of historical development, such spaces built the spatial structure
of the city and functioned as a center of socio-spatial interactions, collective memory, and identity.
Sacred territories have undergone a complex evolutionary path. Cultural, political, and social
changes have led to transformations and changes in functional purpose, as well as significant
destruction. Each historical stage has led to changes or the loss of sacred function, creating new
semantic and architectural-spatial layers. Given the current challenges, the regeneration of sacred
spaces requires a balanced approach that includes not only functional adaptation or restoration, but
also a careful analysis of historical and spatial layers. A scenario-based, variable, and flexible
approach is aimed at integrating a new purpose into the sacred space without losing its spiritual and
semantic meanings. The choice of the project concept for the scenario is justified by a number of
factors that will set the limits of permissible intervention in the sacred environment. Depending on
the types of sacred spaces, their historical evolution, architectural and functional transformations,
state of preservation, architectural and urban planning potential, there is a need to structure
approaches to their regeneration. The study considers the following typology of project scenarios
for the regeneration of sacred spaces: conservation-museum, hybrid sacred-public, adaptivecultural,
landscape-memorial.
Confirmation of the feasibility of design scenarios for the regeneration of sacred spaces
predicts sustainable development, taking into account the visible and invisible layers of the
architectural environment. The prospects for the development of the scenario method will provide
the prerequisites for the creation of scientifically sound design solutions for the restoration of sacred
space.