Date of Award

5-2026

Degree Type

Capstone Project

First Advisor

Dustin Altschul

Second Advisor

Kimberly Buchholz

Abstract

The purpose of this capstone project is to develop an intergenerational worship environment that reinforces a sense of unity and harmony among the generations through intentional design strategies. This work addresses the widening generational gap within religious communities and responds to the growing departure of younger generations who often feel unseen or disconnected within traditional church settings. By integrating generational preferences into the architectural and experiential components of the worship space, the project seeks to create an environment where all age groups feel represented, valued, and spiritually engaged. Situated within the context of increasing religious disaffiliation, this project highlights the urgent need for worship environments that foster unity while honoring diverse generational identities. The research draws on Human Centered design, Speculative Design, Evidence Based Design, Participatory Action Research and Biophilic Design to guide the design process. Data gathered through interviews, surveys, user-experience mapping, and field observations establishes key multi generational preferences and informs the final spatial solution. Ultimately, this project aims to demonstrate how intentional architectural design can bridge generational divides and advance contemporary approaches to creating inclusive worship spaces.

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