Does architecture have a transformative component to it that can not only impact our lives in meaningful ways but act as a catalyst in global transformation? The answer is most definitely, yes! The architect Louis Kahn known for his metaphysical ideas about space said good architects are “form-givers”, meaning that architects can tap into the livingness of the materials, geometry and order to give architectural life to a building. It was also Winston Churchill who said, “We shape our buildings and our buildings shape us” meaning the design of buildings can influence human behavior and our values even down to the healthy functioning of a British parliamentary democracy.

Scientists are still baffled by the stained glass of Chartres cathedral and how the reds and blues cannot be replicated. Many people have stood transfixed, without words, in the presence of Chartres’ rose windows. Did the cathedral builders tap into the metaphysical properties of light? Based on the research of R.A. Schwaller de Lubicz, a modern day alchemist, medieval alchemists were able to infuse the glass with the spirit of certain metals to create those cathedral reds and blues. The spiritualized glass of alchemy or the transmutation of lead to gold representing the fusing spirit with matter, is a spiritual metaphor for global transformation – the changing of personality focussed humanity into that of soul life or love.

The commonality of Alchemy with Global Transformation lies in the transmutation of substance or its transition from a lower to a higher state. Global transformation can be seen as the transition from a materialistic human species into something new, a more consciously awakened spiritualized humanity. Spiritual, according to schools of esoteric thought such as Theosophy, Anthroposophy and the Tibetan Trans-Himalayan Wisdom, is any activity of life that contributes to the improvement and good of human living conditions, human understanding and relationships, even though no religious beliefs may be involved.

Architecture’s potential to influence global transformation comes from architecture’s metaphysical capacity to embody Truth and Beauty by tapping into the spiritual livingness of materials and space. Claude Bragdon, author, architect and theosophist said in his book, “The Beautiful Necessity” that “The white light of Truth is broken up into a rain-bow-tinted spectrum of Beauty, in which the various arts are colors, each distinct, yet merging one into another,—poetry into music; painting into decoration; decoration becoming sculpture; architecture,and so on.” The Good, True and Beautiful of the Greek philosopher Plato refers to humanity’s intrinsic ability to create a world in which Beauty and Truth live in our arts, politics, economics and relationships. The Good is the act of giving expression or form to Truth and Beauty.

The ancient Egyptian temples revealed the essential nature of humankind, symbolizing the condition of the human soul and the beauty of inner relationship – unity. Of all the arts, architecture excels at revealing truth and beauty through space and form evoking positive responses.
Ancient Egypt had the knowledge of how to design beautiful and true structures that act as transformers of consciousness. R.A. Schwaller de Lubicz rediscovered a portion of this knowledge in the Temple of Luxor in Egypt. De Lubicz studied this complex for fifteen years, what he called Temple of Man. Rudolf Steiner said “Earth is a Temple. Man is Temple. A Temple is where spiritual energies can stream into it and out into the world. Temples are transformers and transmitters of spiritual energies.” – a reassuring thought to know.

“What is the one defining element about architecture regarding global transformation and why?” The author posed this two part question to a colleague and developer who had never thought about architecture in this context but his answer was very interesting: “The incorporation of creative visual elements, patterns, and energetic  configurations which inspires us to expand our awareness and enhance our imagination.” His answer to “Why?”: “To transcend ordinary utility – to celebrate and showcase the energies and perspectives which inspire us to transcend limiting societal beliefs and constraints.”

Inspired by the principles of sacred geometry, the author designed for IPI, (International Peace Initiative), in Tiriji, Kenya an Eco-Academy complex, taking into consideration local culture, African symbols of relationship, indigenous materials and climate. This was done using the symbol of the circle, the flower motif in the form of a mandala and other African symbols. The design embodies the ideas of a flowering of mutually enriching relationship between nature and human culture.

With a little creativity and imagination architecture can assist humanity in becoming more aware of the idea of a living Earth and living Universe where we celebrate all forms of life “as the manifestation of the spiritual ground of creation seeking to know itself through a creative, self-organizing unfolding toward ever-greater complexity, beauty, awareness, and possibility.” (David Korten, spiritual activist and author). Humanity is finding its soul and place in a living universe of ordered beauty and this may be architecture’s defining role as a leading power for global transformation.