First Draft of Introduction for Prospectus

Here is the first draft of the intro for my capstone prospectus.  This formatting will be followed throughout the paper, making it easier for the reader to navigate.

Description:

            Stemming from personal interest as well as being on the campus here at the University of Arkansas, there is an abundance of churches in the area.  New ones are being built, old ones are being renovated.  However, they all seem to follow the same typologies and functions, even if they are different denominations.  From a young age, attending church was a mandatory event.  And being lucky enough to live in the age of new technology, it can be a blurred line between if technological innovations are helping or hurting communities.  Growing up in church, I have seen the shift from classical traditions to adaptive traditions through the introduction of technology in these sacred spaces.  By analyzing the impact of technology within the church, one can identify the shift in church expression and representation in today’s culture.

Context:

            In the Fayetteville region, there are many churches that fit the “modern” model.  The focus will be centered around the integration of technology within the church, considering how COVID-19 altered how the church operates[1], and how that has impacted the church’s cultural significance in the surrounding fabric.  Cross Church[2] and St. Thomas Aquinas Church[3] are two examples of recently developed churches that both honor tradition but integrate into their surrounding context.  By comparing these two churches through quantitative and qualitative analysis, there can be an open-ended conclusion to recognize the shift of religious architecture in the modern day. 

Significance:

            The data gathered from this study will allow the development of drawings, specifically concept diagrams as seen in figure 1, to help the audience comprehend the data tangibly with visual aid.  The specified audience in this research project are architects and designers interested in religious architecture.  By identifying notable churches in the vicinity of campus, and organizing the data in a design-like fashion, the reader will gain an understanding in the shift in religious architecture and can identify the impacts developing technology has on religious spaces.

Research Question:

            In what ways has the architectural expression of churches shifted as a result of technological advancements from 2015-2025?

 

Figure 1: North Christian Church - Concept sketch by Eero Saarinen

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[1] Coe and Hale, “Post-Pandemic Realities.”

[2] “Fayetteville - Home (F).”

[3] St. Thomas Aquinas University Parish, “St. Thomas Aquinas University Parish.”