The significance of locus sacer in the identification and appropriate organisation of living space of the 21^st century: Case study in the hybrid megalopolis of the city-state Singapore (part 1)

Architectural and urban, functional and spatial solutions for living space are based on actions focused on human needs. In addition to many other aspects, sacred space or locus sacer (its function, form and conceptual contents) as a publicly dedicated place of worship in which one can contact the sacrum is particularly important in human living and functioning space. The article presents sacrum from the cultural perspective, on the materialized and symbolical plane with some references to the contemporary architectural practice, with an analysis of the innovative approach and metaphors while building new forms of the changing Catholic Church of the 21st century. Thanks to their characteristic structure, they play the role of a significant spatial and functional determinant supporting the identification, integration and the sense of belonging to the community of places and constitute special space perceived as an asylum promoting a good relation and appropriate organisation of the housing environment. In this context, the research was focused on developments located in completely different housing areas: a hybrid megalopolis (the city-state Singapore) and, as a sign of another topic and analyses supplementing the comprehensive presentation, a new housing district of a small European city (Freiburg, Germany).