Daily Rituals: Home spaces for prayer and spiritual connection

Home is a sacred realm, a place that embraces and honors a variety of emotions and sensations. As Gaston Bachelard asserts, it serves as our refuge in the world, our primary universe, and it is a real universe in every sense of the word. Its complex symbolism goes beyond mere functional aspects such as the number of rooms or the size of the bathroom. Entire universes find their place within its walls.

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The idea of ​​home as a sacred space is deeply rooted in various cultural, spiritual, and personal beliefs. In some cases, this sacred aspect becomes more apparent, as some homes have spaces designated for worship and worship. This is especially common in countries with a Buddhist or Muslim religious majority, such as Vietnam and Indonesia. These prayer rooms are traditionally integrated into the architecture of the home, providing a peaceful haven within the bustle of modern family life.

When we think of prayer rooms, we often imagine spacious spaces characterized by the interplay of light and shadow, usually open and connected to the outdoors or natural elements. However, in homes, these spaces tend to be integrated more discreetly within the flow of daily residential activities. In the context of home design, prayer rooms may take the form of a completely separate room or more varied environments such as a mezzanine. Regardless of the level of privacy, these spaces are usually well ventilated, often connected to the outside through doors or windows, and sparsely furnished.

Traditional Vietnamese houses, like those in Quang Nam, face the rich and complex architectural challenge of accommodating multiple generations under one roof. In these cases, a home designed for four generations goes beyond typical residential design. It is not limited only to the traditional prayer room, but also includes a multi-use space capable of hosting various celebrations, from birth ceremonies to death anniversaries and even funerals.

At Gather House, the experience is unique, as you begin with a pilgrimage up several flights of stairs leading to the place of worship. This room is located on the third floor and serves as a place for family prayer. It features a window overlooking the church and a tree-lined terrace, creating an attractive and relaxing atmosphere. It is worth noting that the use of natural lighting, a common design feature in places of worship, enhances the feeling of connection with the divine.

When examining the many houses that contain prayer spaces, it is clear that most of them integrate this function within spacious open areas such as mezzanines. The Tole House, Minimalist House, and Cao Xanh House represent this approach, despite their distinctive aesthetics and materials. Likewise, in Nha Bi House, the prayer room is located in the interstitial space of the roof slope, offering views of the central void inside the house and the street outside.

In contrast to the previously mentioned examples, it is worth commenting on the “House Among the Trees” which takes advantage of its elongated shape and the stacking of rooms to reserve a spacious room dedicated specifically to the moment of family worship, with a wide opening to the outside.

When it comes to sacred spaces within our homes, it is important to remember that the concept is very personal. Each of us has a set of rituals and activities that have significance in our daily lives. As a result, these spaces are not always associated with a particular religion. They can be places where we seek answers, practice self-care, or connect with something greater. This happens in different ways, whether in a music corner, in a cozy reading corner inside a library, on a starlit balcony, or in a park where we connect with nature.

Beyond the activities carried out or their symbolic and ritual significance in the home, understanding the complex dynamics of life within the home involves recognizing the different ways in which people make their own. In this context, architecture plays a role in creating safe environments that allow residents to express themselves and assert their individuality in society, regardless of the rules that shape their unique world.