Despite a desacralization of space throughout history, sacred space is still relevant and existing – although sometimes hidden. In line with the secularization of society, religion and the role of the church have changed. In response to the church's declining numbers and importance, it has undergone a modernization process over the last few decades. From having God as the centre point, the church has shifted its focus more towards the community. By welcoming other programmes and activities under its roof, the church has managed to become more integrated and open for the greater public. But in the process of modernizing, many of the sacred spaces have become desacralized. The church has to adapt to better suit the needs of contemporary society, but it should not be done at the expense of the sacred. This thesis deals with the importance and preservation of sacred space in the city. Through theoretical and historical texts, the thesis moves through definitions and the history of sacred space; what it is, has been, and what makes it differ from profane space. By looking at current, local examples, the physical difference between the traditional and the modern church is discussed. There is a tension between the sacred experience and the integration of the modern church. The sacred experience relies on thresholds that distinguish it from daily life, while the combined programmes in the modern church aim to make the church more welcoming and incorporated into everyday life. The thesis explores whether the best aspects of each typology are possible to preserve and combine. While my point of view mostly is through the lens of the Swedish context, the church, and Christianity, I believe that many of the same principles apply to other cultures and faiths.

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Following a Trail - and the question of how we populate a place to the extent that we also alter the very things that draws us to it This thesis is concerning the huge and rapid exploitation in the community of Hemavan and the consequences that follows. Though we specifically look at Hemavan, we talk about issues that are not specific for Hemavan but that are rather quite general in its setting. This report is building on the preparatory document with the same name, Following a trail, and should thus advantageously be read consecutively in that order. Simultaneously with this report, we have addressed the situation in Hemavan in a synthesis project and through a process of form-finding as well as into a greater discussion of what is the form-generator today in our built environments. In this report we add on the discussion of form-finding with an emphasis on the motor and the processes that drives this generator of form. We come from a discussion of form with the landscape as DNA, but now change the scale and ask what it is that generates the form of our communities. With this thesis we touch upon subjects such as power relations, planning processes, landscape rights and architectural means. We state that there is not necessarily a solution to the situation simply solvable by an architectural intervention and therefore we discuss the art and intention of architecture relating to perceptive methods and the means of an open project. This debate is further referring to the conscious action of non-design, and thus a questioning of our role and purpose as architects, leaning towards a language without solutions, yet consisting of open answers. This is a thesis that we need to discuss and a thesis with open questions for the receiver to reflect on rather than one offering a solution.

Following a Trail - and the question of how we populate a place to theextent that we also alter the very things that draws us to it This thesis is concerning the huge and rapid exploitation in the community of Hemavanand the consequences that follows. Though we specifically look at Hemavan, we talkabout issues that are not specific for Hemavan but that are rather quite general in itssetting. This report is building on the preparatory document with the same name,Following a trail, and should thus advantageously be read consecutively in that order. Simultaneously with this report, we have addressed the situation in Hemavan ina synthesis project and through a process of form-finding as well as into a greaterdiscussion of what is the form-generator today in our built environments. In thisreport we add on the discussion of form-finding with an emphasis on the motor andthe processes that drives this generator of form. We come from a discussion of formwith the landscape as DNA, but now change the scale and ask what it is that generatesthe form of our communities. With this thesis we touch upon subjects such as powerrelations, planning processes, landscape rights and architectural means. We state that there is not necessarily a solution to the situation simply solvable by anarchitectural intervention and therefore we discuss the art and intention of architecturerelating to perceptive methods and the means of an open project. This debate is furtherreferring to the conscious action of non-design, and thus a questioning of our role andpurpose as architects, leaning towards a language without solutions, yet consisting ofopen answers. This is a thesis that we need to discuss and a thesis with open questionsfor the receiver to reflect on rather than one offering a solution.

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