Sept. 8, 2011

Architecture School Celebrates 100th Anniversary

Symposium to Explore Sacred Architecture

The School of Architecture and Planning at The Catholic University of America celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. Highlighting this milestone will be a three-day symposium in October on "Transcending Architecture - Aesthetics and Ethics of the Numinous."

As part of the symposium, the architecture and planning school will host lectures and panels on sacred design. The lectures will be led by renowned scholars and practitioners from disciplines ranging from architecture and religion to philosophy and social work, including:

  • Thursday, Oct. 6, at 6 p.m., "Dwelling and the Indeterminate," by Karla Britton, lecturer of architecture at Yale University
  • Friday, Oct. 7, at 6 p.m., "The Sacred in Architecture," by Juhani Pallasmaa, principal of Juhani Pallasmaa Architects in Helsinki, Finland
  • Saturday, Oct. 8, at 6 p.m., "Transcending Aesthetics: Architecture and the Sacred," by Karsten Harries, professor of philosophy at Yale University

All lectures take place in the Edward M. Crough Center for Architectural Studies, Koubek Auditorium. A full schedule of lectures, panels, and other events can be found at http://www.sacred-space.net/symposium/2011-CUArch_symposium_schedule.jpg .

Following the lecture on Oct. 7 there will be a reception celebrating the 100th anniversary of the school. With this event, the School of Arcitecture and Planning also commemorates the 125th aniversary of the University that also is being celebrated this year.

"Given the special mission of The Catholic University of America and our School of Architecture and Planning, it is very appropriate that we celebrate this milestone for our school with an important symposium on 'sacred spaces,'" says Randall Ott, dean of the school. "This symposium and its theme also highlight our nationally unique graduate concentration in cultural and sacred studies."

The symposium has been organized by Julio Bermudez, director of the graduate program.

Events are free to attend, but registration is necessary. For more information on registering, visit http://www.sacred-space.net/symposium/registration.htm .

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