The AIA Interfaith Forum on Religion, Art and Architecture (IFRAA) Knowledge Community encourages and supports excellence in the design of worship spaces and their accoutrements. The IFRAA Knowledge Community is an association of professionals whose primary interest is religious facilities in a broad array of traditions. We value an interfaith forum for the exchange of ideas relating to religion, art, and architecture.

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Highlights

Awards Program: Religious Art and Architecture Design Awards
Submission deadline extended to July 7, 2009. Submissions must be made online.
The annual Awards program is co-sponsored by Faith & Form Magazine and the Interfaith Forum on Religion, Art and Architecture (IFRAA) It was founded in 1978 with the goal of honoring the best in architecture, liturgical design, and art for religious spaces. The program offers three primary categories for awards: Religious Architecture, Liturgical/Interior Design, Sacred landscape, and Religious Arts.

Resources

IFRAA Journal
The AIA Interfaith Forum on Religion, Art and Architecture official electronic newsletter.

Report: In Search of Masters of Light
This nine-day conference based in Rome gave members the opportunity to see firsthand the sacred architecture in a world religious capital. Covering the 17th Century masterworks from Bernini and Borromini as well as more contemporary works by Renzo Piano and Richard Meier, Masters of Light presented a truly unique opportunity to explore Rome through the perspectives of other architects, clergy, artists, and designers. The conference took place October 10-18th 2008 in and around Rome, Italy.

Report: Pietro Belluschi and the Pacific Northwest
Michael J. Crosbie, AIA, reports on the keynote address Meredith L. Clausen, AIA, delivered to the 2007 IFRAA conference in Portland, Ore., on Pietro Belluschi (1899–1994), FAIA. Belluschi's work (particularly in the Pacific Northwest) is distinguished by a strong sense of place, a regional identity, and often deep spirituality.

Elbert M. Conover Memorial Award
The award recognizes non-architects for their contributions to the field of religious architecture.

Podcast: Acoustics and Design
In this overview on the topic of acoustics consulting, Dawn Schuette, AIA, an experienced acoustic designer, discusses how to involve designers early enough in the design process to ensure a successful aural project element. Schuette also describes how the field has evolved, the types of works that are currently being prepared, and how architects can benefit from working with professionals in the field.

Subscribe to Faith & Form
AIA IFRAA members are encouraged to subscribe to Faith & Form. This independent quarterly journal focuses one issue per year on the winners of the IFRAA/Faith & Form Awards for Religious Art and Architecture.