Abstract
The sacred and the profane have been distinctly carved since Mircea Eliade, Romanian philosopher and religious historian, first described them in his seminal work, The Sacred and the Profane, often cited in the study of sacred space. But as we face an increasingly secular identity in our western post-structuralist world, the borders of the sacred are evolving both in study and in practice. Using Catholic Charities’ Dorothy Day Place, a cutting-edge design for sheltering those experiencing homelessness in downtown Saint Paul, Minnesota, I demonstrate how these new buildings provide a re-considered view of the sacred. To do this, I focus on a definition of sacred space developed by Michael J. Sheridan, social work scholar and practitioner, who has posited that the sacred emerges when conjoining spirituality, a social justice framework and socially conscious architecture. Incorporating this definition, I examine how the architect’s use of socially conscious design coupled with Catholic Charities’ unique program model serves to create sacred space and also reflects historical legacies of the sacred found in churches and monasteries. I first articulate Catholic Charities’ three-tiered system of housing that allows individuals to ascend through floors that offer increasing responsibility, independence, and privacy when paired with professional supportive services. I then focus on architectural design elements which enhance the model to embrace the sacred including, among others, the use of light for both wellness, guidance, and symbolism; a circulation system that fosters efficiency while allowing for a balance of safety and security; the configuration of living space to accommodate privacy and unique health challenges yet can still allow for gathering and connecting; and a recognition that the site location situated between the sacred and the profane in the downtown core needed to respectfully consider and reflect its urban neighbors while showing itself as a beacon to the most vulnerable of its citizens.