Exploring Human Perception in Sacred Spaces: A Case Study of Le Corbusier's Chapel of Notre-Dame-du-Haut in Ron champ
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14250234Keywords:
Sacred spaces , Daylight, Sensory experience, Phenomenological analysis, Well-beingAbstract
This study investigates the transformative role of daylight in shaping human perception and enhancing well-being within sacred architectural spaces, focusing on Le Corbusier's Chapel of Notre-Dame-du-Haut in Ronchamp. The research goes beyond conventional lighting paradigms to explore how the dynamic interplay of natural light and architectural form creates profound sensory and spiritual experiences. Employing a phenomenological methodology, the study integrates observational analysis and visual documentation to examine light's emotional and introspective effects in sacred contexts. The findings underscore daylight's capacity to serve dual roles: as an aesthetic feature that enhances the architectural composition and as a medium that fosters psychological comfort and spiritual engagement. By revealing the nuanced interplay between light and architectural form, the research provides valuable insights into designing environments prioritizing human-centered experiences. This work contributes to the discourse on architecture's potential to influence emotional and spiritual well-being, highlighting the need for innovative approaches in sacred space design. By emphasizing human comfort and the symbolic power of natural light, it offers guidance for creating contemplative environments that inspire connection and introspection. It extends its relevance to broader architectural practices that foster well-being in built spaces.
Downloads
Published
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Design Dialogue Journal

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
The following license terms apply to all articles published in the Design Dialogue Journal:
Open Access Policy
Design Dialogue Journal is an open access journal. All articles are published and made freely available online immediately upon publication, without subscription charges or registration barriers. This ensures that your work is freely accessible to anyone, anywhere in the world.
License
All articles in the Design Dialogue Journal are published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license. This license permits users to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially
Under the following terms:
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
The full legal code of the CC BY 4.0 license can be accessed here.
Author Rights
Authors retain the copyright of their work and grant the journal the right of first publication. Authors also grant any third party the right to use the article freely as long as its integrity is maintained and its original authors, citation details, and publisher are identified.
User Rights
Under the CC BY 4.0 license, users are allowed to share and adapt the material for any purpose, even commercially, as long as they attribute the work appropriately. This means that readers can freely access, download, distribute, and build upon the articles as long as the original authors and source are properly credited.
Compliance with Funding Body Requirements
Design Dialogue Journal supports authors in meeting the requirements of funding bodies. Articles published under the CC BY 4.0 license are compliant with major funding body policies, allowing authors to meet the criteria for open access publication.
Commercial Use
For permissions beyond the scope of this license, such as for commercial use or creating derivative works, the terms of the CC BY 4.0 license apply. Explicit permission is not required for commercial use under this license.
By submitting to Design Dialogue Journal, the authors agree to the terms of this license. If you have any questions regarding the license terms or the use of your work, please contact the journal's editorial office.