For hundreds of years, little changed in the design of sacred spaces. Today, however, newly built sacred spaces can resemble coffeehouses, conference centers or even nightclubs. Old religious buildings are being converted into condos, while sanctuaries are springing up in airports, schools and other public buildings. How are our churches, temples, mosques and other religious buildings being designed, and what do they say about who we are today?

Employees barely knew each other. Curriculum development was slow. Communication had to be formal and planned, or it didn’t happen. Mount Royal College in Calgary had set its sights on becoming Canada’s leading undergraduate institution by 2005. When the local Steelcase team offered its work effectiveness methodology, the college’s executives seized on the potential advantage. Did it help them be more effective? The results speak for themselves.