UNIVERSITY OF THE EAST

Samson Road, Caloocan City

College of Fine Arts, Architecture, and Design
Department of Architecture

Major Project (Design III)

A Proposed Inter-Faith Community Spiritual Center
Bryant University-Machtley Interfaith Center

Summited by:
John Jeric Z. Perjoles
ARCH2B / FAR 2101

Summited to:
 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

The Inter-Faith Community Spiritual Center leads people to live a healthy, prosperous and
meaningful life by teaching the principles of Truth taught and exemplified by all the Master
Teachers. We believe all people are created with sacred worth. As an open-minded community,
we welcome all races, religions spiritual beliefs and lifestyles that embrace a peaceful co-
existence in the world. Spirituality and religion, often confused, are not the same. In spirituality,
seen through the heart’s unconditional lens, God is one. As we entered this new millennium, a
vision of antispirituality was emerging from within the world’s religions. Those who seeded the
vision began talking to each other across continents and oceans, between traditions and cultures
and they discerned that their experience, though hugely diverse, was ultimately much the same.
All shared a sense of profound interconnectedness, oneness, and a unity that transcended the
boundaries of their theological traditions, cultural backgrounds, and historical narratives.

It’s obvious to many that antispirituality a more universal experience of the world’s
religions, emphasizing shared experiences of heart and unity consciousness represents part of
the world’s ongoing movement toward globalization and multiculturalism. It has been predicted
that antispirituality will become the global spiritual view of our era. With such a view one looks
beyond categories deeper than labels such as Christian, Jew, Muslim, Buddhist, black, white,
gay, straight. Saints, sages, and mystics across the centuries have always understood that seeing
with the ‘eyes of the heart’ allows the greatest potential for understanding, thereby fostering unity
consciousness. One sees the absolute value, which we might refer to as divinity, of everything. A
heartfelt and experiential definition of antispirituality. “A spirituality so based on the heart and
unconditional love that it would be impossible to feel separate from anything.

The Mission Project Interfaith grows understanding, respect and relationships among
people of all faiths, beliefs and cultures in order to dispel tension and conflict arising from
cultural and religious ignorance, stereotyping, and marginalization. The organization strives to
fulfill its mission by creating spaces in communities and online where people can share their
personal experiences and connect with others of diverse beliefs and cultures. The Vision Project
Interfaith strives to create a community and world where people of all faiths, beliefs and cultures
are valued, included and protected. Project Interfaith seeks to serve as a leader and resource
on interfaith relations and religious & cultural diversity.
1.2 Background of the Project/ Case Study

The Campus Ministry mission: To support and nourish the spiritual development,
religious identity, and faith practice of all Bryant community members. The Ronald K. and
Kati C. Machtley Interfaith Center provides a gathering place where all members of the
Bryant community can explore their spirituality, practice their faith, and learn from one
another. The Campus Ministry team is dedicated to fostering understanding and
cooperation for all, wherever they may find themselves on their personal journeys. The
Interfaith Center provides experiences that build understanding and respect within our
community. Through the academic year we offer services and events representative of
diverse faith traditions and religions. The Interfaith Center is also a resource to students,
faculty, and staff of all faiths interested in initiating programs and creating
opportunities.
  Institution

Bryant University

 Spiritual Space

Machtley Interfaith Center

 Work Type
Multi-faith Center

 Location
located at the end of the main entrance drive and part of the main campus green, in
Smithfield, RI

 Creator
Gwathmey Siegel Kaufman Architects

Date

completed September 2009

 Measurements
11,000 square feet

Description

No separate facility for Hillel. No specific iconography used. Has main worship space with
smaller prayer room and meeting rooms.

Seating Capacity

Seats 200 in movable seats in main worship space.

 Other Spaces in Facility

One traditional kitchenette, one religious life office.
1.3 Review of related Literatures

Ronald Keith "Ron" Machtley (born July 13, 1948) is an American politician and
president of Bryant University. Machtley served as a Republican member of the United States
House of Representatives from Rhode Island from 1989 to 1995. Since 1996, Machtley has
served as president of Bryant University in Island. Machtley was born in Johnstown,
Pennsylvania and attended public schools. He received a B.S. from the United States Naval
Academy in 1970, serving in the United States Navy from 1970 to 1975 and the United States
Naval Reserve from 1975 to 1995. Machtley received a Juris Doctor from Suffolk University
Law School in Boston, Massachusetts in 1978 and was admitted to the Rhode Island bar in
the same year.

Machtley ran for Congress as a Republican in the 1st District and defeated 28-year
incumbent Democrat Fernand St. Germain in a considerable upset. He was reelected two
more times and was very popular even as Rhode Island was trending more and more
Democratic. In 1992, for instance, he was reelected with a staggering 70 percent of the vote
even as Bill Clinton easily carried the state. He was a moderate Republican in the mold
of Chafee. Machtley gave up his seat to run for Governor of Rhode Island in 1994. He was
the heavy favorite in the Republican primary, but was soundly defeated by Lincoln Almond,
who went on to victory in November. To date, he is the last Republican elected to the House
from Rhode Island.

1.4 Review Architectural Programming

First Floor
 Mechanical
 Men / Women Comfort Room
 Electrical
 Internet Room
 Kitchen
 Pantry
 Corridor
 Stair
 Lobby
 Waiting area
 Reception
 Multi-Purpose
 Sacred Space
 Furniture Storage
 Icon storage
 Corridor 1
 Stairs 2
 Second Floor
 Classroom
 Mechanical
 Roof
 Catwalk
 Ceiling Below
 Open to Below
 Ceiling below 1
 Seven Office
 Double Office
 Library
 Meditation
 Prayer
 Work
 Open to Below
 Men / Women Comfort room
 Display
 Academic coordination office

REFERENCES:

https://interfaith-community.org/

http://interfaithcommunitysanctuary.org/index.php/about-ics/what-is-interfaith/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Interfaith

http://omeka.wellesley.edu/spiritualspaces/items/show/36

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronald_Machtley

https://faithandform.com/feature/numen-lumen/