THE FORMATION AND ROLE OF SACRED SPACES IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

Abstract

The article aims to analyse contemporary architectural approaches to the organisation of sacred spaces in educational institutions, classify their functions, and identify promising areas for their implementation in infrastructure, taking into account multiculturalism and diversity of worldviews. The purpose of the study is to provide a theoretical and methodological justification for the processes of forming sacred spaces in educational institutions, as well as to reveal their role in ensuring the spiritual and moral development, psychological comfort, and sociocultural integration of participants in the educational process. Research methodology. The study is based on a comprehensive analysis of sacred complexes integrated into the educational space, using a comparative study of architectural solutions. The work uses an interdisciplinary approach that includes sociocultural, psychological, and functional-architectural criteria for assessing the effectiveness of sacred spaces in higher education institutions. Research results. It has been established that sacred spaces in educational institutions not only provide religious functions but also significantly influence the psychological climate, ethical education, and identity formation of the university community. The role of such spaces in creating open, interfaith, and flexible environments that support the personal development and spiritual self-expression of students and teachers has been revealed. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the systematization and expansion of theoretical approaches to the integration of sacred elements into the global educational space, as well as in the proposed methodology for harmonizing religious and spiritual functions with the academic needs of modern university campuses. Gaps in the regulatory and methodological support for the design of sacred spaces in Ukraine have been identified, and ways to overcome them have been proposed. Practical relevance. The results of the study are important for architects, educational institution planners, and educational institution managers who contribute to the improvement of the design and functioning of sacred spaces that ensure cultural inclusion, psychological support, and improvement of the quality of the educational environment. The proposed recommendations can be used to develop regulatory documents for the design of sacred complexes in educational institutions around the world.