Professor of Architecture Thomas Barrie’s book The Sacred In-between: The Mediating Roles of Sacred Places will be published by Routledge in February 2010. The book establishes broadened contexts, approaches and understandings of architecture through the lens of the mediating roles often performed by sacred architecture. Its principle argument is that, similar to the intermediary roles of religion, sacred architecture typically served as a physical and symbolic mediator in support of the socio-political, doctrinal and ritual agendas of the religions it was built to serve. It argues the sacred architecture was (and still is), an ‘in-between’ place believed by its creators to establish the connections they sought. The book presents a diverse range of examples and discusses their continuing ontological significance and the lessons they can offer today.
The research for the book was supported by an Off-Campus Scholarly Assignment, a Faculty Research and Professional Development Grant, and two grants from the Graham Foundation for Advanced Study in the Fine Arts.
For further information see http://www.routledge.com/books/The-Sacred-In-Between-The-Mediating-Roles-of-Architecture-isbn9780415779647
More activities:
- In June, 2009, Barrie presented a lecture and seminar at the Department of Architectural Science, Ryerson University entitled Interpreting Mimar Sinan.
- Housing and Sustainable Communities: The Stone’s Warehouse Redevelopment Project for Southeast Raleigh has been published by the College of Design. The publication documents a project led by Thomas Barrie and funded by the City of Raleigh Department of City Planning. It includes project proposals developed by graduate students for a site near Moore Square. During the semester-long project students and faculty worked closely with the City of Raleigh Community Development Department to develop a range of proposals for the project site. Nationally recognized experts in housing conducted seminars and presented public lectures. The results will be provided to the city to assist their revitalization efforts in Southeast Raleigh.<
The project was an outcome of Thomas Barrie’s Research, Extension and Engagement Appointment in Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities, which focuses on research, community-based demonstration and service-learning projects, and the development and dissemination of a knowledge base applicable to the housing and urban challenges that North Carolina communities face
- This semester Thomas Barrie is leading the Wake County Affordable Housing Project: Types – Strategies — Models, which is funded by the Wake County Department of Human Services. The project is part of an advanced architectural design studio and will include research on housing needs in Wake County, national and international best practices of affordable housing, and the design of a range of affordable housing models. Issues such as environmental, social and cultural sustainability will be intrinsic to the project. Mixed-use, mixed-income and transit-oriented development will also be incorporated. The project will include a number of design workshops conducted at designated pilot study towns. The project outcomes will be documented and supplied to Wake County Human Services to assist their efforts in providing affordable housing in Wake County.