Setre Chapel, Japan. This dramatic chapel, designed by Ryyuich Ashizawa, accepts all faiths and is free from iconography. It was hoped the huge window facing over the sea would imbue the space with a sense of the sacred.
Setre Chapel, Japan. This dramatic chapel, designed by Ryyuich Ashizawa, accepts all faiths and is free from iconography. It was hoped the huge window facing over the sea would imbue the space with a sense of the sacred.
Courtesy Gestalten
Architectural masterpieces like the Sistine chapel have the ability to leave us in awe in their presence. One way they do this by giving a sense of elevation through lifting the eyes up to view their design. Pictured, the Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo's fresco ' The Last Judgment ' at the Vatican.
Architectural masterpieces like the Sistine chapel have the ability to leave us in awe in their presence. One way they do this by giving a sense of elevation through lifting the eyes up to view their design. Pictured, the Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo's fresco ' The Last Judgment ' at the Vatican.
Eric Vandeville-Vatican Pool/Getty Images
La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain lifts the eyes upon arrival with its grand structure.
La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain lifts the eyes upon arrival with its grand structure.
David Ramos/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
The Meenakshi temple in Madurai, India is famed for its architecture and draws pilgrims and tourists from all over the world.
The Meenakshi temple in Madurai, India is famed for its architecture and draws pilgrims and tourists from all over the world.
DIBYANGSHU SARKAR/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The history and stories surrounding Westminster Abbey become even more overwhelming once inside. The architecture enables visitors to walk in the footsteps of many of history's legends.
The history and stories surrounding Westminster Abbey become even more overwhelming once inside. The architecture enables visitors to walk in the footsteps of many of history's legends.
Oli Scarff/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Inside the dramatic building of the Jewish Center in Germany, a glass and steel roof floods the synagogue with light. Designed by Wandel Hoefer Lorch.
Inside the dramatic building of the Jewish Center in Germany, a glass and steel roof floods the synagogue with light. Designed by Wandel Hoefer Lorch.
Courtesy Gestalten
The Taj Mahal was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who is buried there alongside him. The white marble and grand design of the building use light and space to their advantage to overwhelm the senses.
The Taj Mahal was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who is buried there alongside him. The white marble and grand design of the building use light and space to their advantage to overwhelm the senses.
Julian Finney/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
A view of the inside of the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral. Gothic cathedrals like this encourage people to look up to the heavens -- be it through high ceilings, a raised steeple, or mounted statue -- to aid the inspiration felt when entering the building.
A view of the inside of the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral. Gothic cathedrals like this encourage people to look up to the heavens -- be it through high ceilings, a raised steeple, or mounted statue -- to aid the inspiration felt when entering the building.
PATRICK KOVARIK/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Scattered between the twisting roots of the Cambodian jungle, the temples of Angkor Wat leave visitors in awe of their grandeur. The scale of the site provides immediate inspiration whilst the complexities of its sculptures keep people in their state of awe.
Scattered between the twisting roots of the Cambodian jungle, the temples of Angkor Wat leave visitors in awe of their grandeur. The scale of the site provides immediate inspiration whilst the complexities of its sculptures keep people in their state of awe.
Barney Smith
Japanese architecture uses thin paper walls and white materials to reflect and absorb light to add brightness and texture to a space whilst changing the space as the daylight changes throughout the day.
Japanese architecture uses thin paper walls and white materials to reflect and absorb light to add brightness and texture to a space whilst changing the space as the daylight changes throughout the day.
courtesy Mei Sheng-wa/Laojun Mountain Nature Reserve
Located on the banks of a lake just outside of Kyoto, the white temple is in honor of maternal ancestors. Architects Takashi Yamaguchi & Associates wanted to create a space that would envelope the visitor like the inside of a womb.
Located on the banks of a lake just outside of Kyoto, the white temple is in honor of maternal ancestors. Architects Takashi Yamaguchi & Associates wanted to create a space that would envelope the visitor like the inside of a womb.
Courtesy Gestalten
Of course, many non-religious building use similar architectural flourishes to achieve a sense of awe. Concrete ribs are a feature of the Guggenheim Museum of Modern and Contempory Art in New York. The spiral staircase and unusual design keep the mind occupied as you wander through.
Of course, many non-religious building use similar architectural flourishes to achieve a sense of awe. Concrete ribs are a feature of the Guggenheim Museum of Modern and Contempory Art in New York. The spiral staircase and unusual design keep the mind occupied as you wander through.
Getty Images
The principles of using light and space in architectural design can be seen in the Salk Institute buildings. Its founder Jonas Salk in collaboration with architect Louis Khan, Salk designed a modern building now marveled for its use of natural light and large spaces.
The principles of using light and space in architectural design can be seen in the Salk Institute buildings. Its founder Jonas Salk in collaboration with architect Louis Khan, Salk designed a modern building now marveled for its use of natural light and large spaces.
Courtesy Salk Institute for Biological Studies
The design resulted in an ocean-side workplace aligned to the horizon promoting creativity and contemplation among its staff
The design resulted in an ocean-side workplace aligned to the horizon promoting creativity and contemplation among its staff
Courtesy Salk Institute for Biological Studies
The majestic main concourse of New York's Grand Central Terminal looks today as it did in 1913, when the railroad station first opened.
The majestic main concourse of New York's Grand Central Terminal looks today as it did in 1913, when the railroad station first opened.
Steve Kastenbaum/CNN
The breathtaking Palace of Versailles was transformed by Louis XIV from a hunting lodge to a prominent chateau. Highlights of the palace include acres of lawns and fountains, its Hall of (357) Mirrors and its stunning chapel.
The breathtaking Palace of Versailles was transformed by Louis XIV from a hunting lodge to a prominent chateau. Highlights of the palace include acres of lawns and fountains, its Hall of (357) Mirrors and its stunning chapel.
David McSpadden/Flickr