There’s a peculiar joy that comes from imagining the perfect liturgical space—not the generic sanctuary design from a catalog, but a thoughtfully crafted environment where every architectural detail whispers theological truth. For those who parse Greek participles for fun, debate the filioque clause at dinner parties, and maintain color-coded spreadsheets tracking the liturgical calendar, these aren’t just interior design dreams. They’re concrete expressions of systematic theology, church history, and biblical exegesis manifested in stone, wood, light, and fabric.
Whether you’re a pastor dreaming of a renovation, a seminary professor designing a study, or simply a theology enthusiast who rearranges your home office to reflect Trinitarian principles, these liturgical space fantasies represent the intersection of academic rigor and doxological devotion. Let’s explore what makes these sacred spaces so compelling for the theologically minded.
Best 10 Liturgical Space Fantasies for Theology Nerds
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The Hexaemeral Nave: Cosmological Architecture
The hexaemeral nave transforms the six days of creation into a walkable theological statement, where worshippers physically journey through Genesis 1 simply by entering the space. This concept appeals to theology nerds who see the cosmos itself as the original liturgy—God speaking order into chaos. The architectural challenge lies in translating ancient Hebrew poetry into three-dimensional spatial poetry without descending into kitsch.
Theological Layering in Design
When conceptualizing your hexaemeral nave, consider how each creative day can manifest structurally rather than literally. Day one’s separation of light from darkness might translate into dramatic chiaroscuro effects through strategic window placement, while day two’s firmament could become a vaulted ceiling with layered materials suggesting water above and below. The key is typological restraint—avoid painting whales on walls for day five and instead think about the theological function of each creative act. Consult biblical commentaries on Genesis 1:1-2:3 to ensure your design choices reflect current scholarly understanding of the text’s cosmology rather than modern scientific concordism.
Material Considerations for Creation Themes
Material selection becomes a theological exercise in itself. For “vegetation” themes on day three, consider living walls of regional plants that connect local ecology to creational theology. Day four’s celestial bodies demand materials that capture light dynamically—polished stone that glows at sunrise, mosaic tiles with gold leaf that shimmer like stars. Budget-conscious theologians might opt for textured plaster techniques that mimic cosmic phenomena without the cost of imported marble. The crucial feature is durability; these materials must withstand decades of theological meditation without fading, much like the doctrines they represent.
The Typological Tabernacle: Old Testament Meets New
For the theology nerd steeped in biblical theology, the typological tabernacle offers the ultimate hermeneutical habitat—a space where every element from the Old Testament sanctuary system finds its Christological fulfillment in architectural form. This isn’t about building an exact replica of Herod’s temple, but rather creating a interpretive environment where the shadows of the old covenant meet the substance of the new.
Symbolic Furnishing Selection
The furniture becomes a theological curriculum. The bronze laver might become a modern baptismal font with patinated copper, while the altar of incense could inspire a prayer station with rising smoke patterns etched into glass. When selecting these pieces, prioritize craftsmen who understand biblical typology—a blacksmith who can explain why the bronze serpent’s pole points forward to the cross, or a woodworker who appreciates acacia wood’s significance. Each piece should include subtle plaque space for Scripture references, allowing the space to teach even when unoccupied.
Light and Shadow Play
The original tabernacle’s lampstand (menorah) provides rich lighting design possibilities. Consider a seven-branched fixture where each light represents a day of creation or a church era. More importantly, study how the tabernacle’s east-west orientation and layered curtains created progressive revelation through light filtration. Modern equivalents might use smart glass that transitions from opaque to transparent during the service, physically enacting the movement from old covenant veiling to new covenant clarity. The theological payoff comes when parishioners experience Hebrews 10:20 viscerally—the veil being torn not just as doctrine, but as actual architectural transformation.
The Patristic Study Niche: Early Church Fathers’ Retreat
This fantasy carves out a monastic corner where the voices of Irenaeus, Athanasius, and the Cappadocians feel immediately present. The patristic study niche serves as a bridge between contemporary theological study and the ancient church’s worship spaces, recognizing that the earliest Christian architecture was itself a theological argument against gnosticism and heresy.
Manuscript Display Solutions
The centerpiece here involves climate-controlled display of facsimile manuscripts or, for the truly committed, actual parchment fragments. UV-protective glass with 99% filtration is non-negotiable—nothing says “theology nerd” like specifying museum-grade conservation standards. Consider rotating displays tied to the lectionary or church calendar: Gregory of Nyssa during Eastertide, Augustine during Pentecost. The display case itself should be theological furniture, perhaps built to resemble a lectern from Hagia Sophia, with hidden LED lighting that mimics candlelight without the fire risk.
Ambient Contemplation Features
Acoustics matter profoundly in a patristic niche. These theologians wrote for oral proclamation, not silent reading. Install sound dampening that creates a “close” auditory environment perfect for reading aloud. A small fountain referencing baptismal theology provides white noise that enhances concentration while recalling patristic imagery of living water. Temperature control should err on the cool side—monasteries were cold, and mental alertness benefits from slightly cooler environments. Humidity around 45% protects both books and brain function.
The Eschatological Altar: Worship with Eternity in View
The eschatological altar space reorients worship from the present age to the age to come, embodying the “already/not yet” tension that defines so much of systematic theology. This fantasy appeals particularly to those who’ve written term papers on inaugurated eschatology and want their sanctuary to physically manifest the heavenly banquet described in Revelation.
Apocalyptic Imagery Integration
Integrating apocalyptic imagery requires careful theological editing. The goal isn’t to recreate John’s visions literally but to capture their liturgical essence. Consider an altar frontal embroidered with the tree of life motif, using gold thread that catches light to suggest the New Jerusalem’s luminescence. The reredos (altar backdrop) might feature ascending levels representing the seven churches or the twenty-four elders. When commissioning such work, prioritize artists who can read Greek and understand the difference between dispensational and covenantal eschatology—this ensures the imagery aligns with your theological tradition rather than popular rapture theology.
Material Durability for Legacy
Eschatological spaces must be built for the long haul, reflecting the permanence of God’s kingdom. This means specifying materials that improve with age: bronze that develops a noble patina, oak that darkens beautifully, stone that wears smooth but never wears out. Avoid trendy finishes that will look dated before the parousia. Instead, invest in structural elements that could last centuries—think Gothic cathedral durability meets Reformation theological clarity. The budget allocation should heavily favor permanence: spend 70% on structure and permanent fixtures, 30% on adaptable elements.
The Sacramental Font Complex: Baptismal Theology Embodied
For theology nerds, baptism isn’t just a moment but a comprehensive reality that redefines identity, community, and cosmic history. The sacramental font complex creates a dedicated zone where this richness can be explored architecturally, moving beyond the traditional wall-mounted basin to something that teaches baptismal theology through its very form.
Hydro-theological Design Elements
Water’s theological significance demands thoughtful engineering. Consider a continuous circulation system that keeps water moving, symbolizing the living water Jesus promised. The sound of flowing water should be audible but not distracting—acoustic modeling helps achieve the right decibel level. For immersion fonts, depth becomes a theological statement: three feet references the Trinity, while four feet might reference the rivers of Eden. Include a heating system that maintains water at body temperature, making the sacrament physically comfortable and thus removing a barrier to frequent sacramental reflection.
Accessibility vs. Sacred Separation
The font must be both accessible and set apart—a physical paradox reflecting baptism’s theological tensions. Design a descending path with three steps (Trinitarian) or seven steps (perfection/completion) that creates processional separation without excluding wheelchair access. The solution often involves a ramp integrated into the design that circles the font, allowing full participation while maintaining the architecture of approach. Consult ADA guidelines alongside patristic writings about catechumenal preparation; the two aren’t mutually exclusive but require creative architectural reconciliation.
The Lectio Divina Reading Tower: Contemplative Scripture Space
This fantasy erects a vertical sanctuary for Scripture reading that physically removes the reader from earthly distractions. The tower concept appeals to those who understand lectio divina not as a quick devotional but as a four-movement symphony of reading, meditation, prayer, and contemplation. Height becomes a metaphor for ascent toward divine encounter.
Acoustic Isolation Techniques
True contemplation requires sonic separation. Specify mass-loaded vinyl in walls, double-stud construction to prevent sound transmission, and acoustic seals on doors that create a noticeable pressure change when closed. The goal is complete auditory privacy, where the only sounds are internal. For the truly committed, consider a sound system that can play chant at subliminal levels—research suggests certain frequencies enhance theta brainwaves associated with deep meditation. The floor should be floating, decoupled from the building structure, preventing footstep transmission both into and out of the space.
Illumination Theology
Lighting design must serve multiple reading modes. Task lighting for textual study requires 500+ lux at the reading surface, while contemplative prayer needs dimmer, warmer light around 50 lux. The solution is layered lighting with separate controls: a full-spectrum LED for study, amber-hued fixtures for meditation, and perhaps a small candle niche for the contemplatio phase. Consider a south-facing clerestory window with a built-in bracket for a Bible—this allows reading by natural light while connecting the practice to the daylight that illuminated medieval scriptoria. UV filtering is essential; even brief sun exposure damages manuscripts over time.
The Trinitarian Architectural Triptych: Three-in-One Spatial Theology
Trinity Sunday might be the bane of preaching pastors, but for architecture-minded theology nerds, it’s the ultimate design challenge. The trinitarian triptych creates three distinct yet unified spaces that physically manifest perichoresis—the mutual indwelling of Father, Son, and Spirit. This fantasy requires thinking in threes at every decision point.
Balanced Asymmetry Principles
Perfect symmetry suggests modalism; wild asymmetry risks tritheism. The sweet spot lies in balanced asymmetry where each “person” space has distinct character while maintaining proportional harmony. One might be tall and narrow (Father as transcendent), another open and accessible (Son as incarnate), the third fluid and luminous (Spirit as wind/fire). Yet all three share a common material vocabulary and dimensional ratio—perhaps based on the golden mean or biblical numbers like 3:5:7. The connecting spaces are crucial; they must be substantial enough to prevent separation but not so defined that they become a fourth space.
Unified Material Palette
Material selection becomes a creedal statement. Use three primary materials that each carry theological weight: stone for the Father’s permanence, wood for the Son’s humanity, and glass/metal for the Spirit’s luminosity and refining work. Each material appears in all three spaces but in different proportions, creating unity through variation. For flooring, consider three types of stone in a pattern that reads as one field—brecciated marble, limestone, and slate, for instance, all sharing similar tonal values but distinct textures. This approach costs more than uniform materials but creates the theological resonance that justifies the expense.
The Liturgical Calendar Chapel: Temporal Worship Design
This fantasy treats time as a architectural material, creating a space that physically transforms through the church year. For theology nerds who’ve mapped out every Sunday from now until eternity, the liturgical calendar chapel makes temporal theology tangible. The space becomes a three-dimensional ordo, teaching the narrative of salvation history through environmental change.
Adaptive Altar Paraments
The altar and its appointments must accommodate constant change. Design a modular system where frontal panels swap easily without tools—magnetic mounting or slot-and-key systems work well. Storage becomes critical; you’ll need a climate-controlled parament closet sized for twelve major seasonal sets plus daily variations. Consider a rotating pedestal for the altar cross that presents different aspects (crucifixus, resurrectus, regnans) throughout the year. The key is designing change into the architecture rather than treating it as an afterthought. This means electrical systems with multiple circuits for different lighting schemes, walls with mounting tracks at various heights, and floors that can accommodate both minimalist Lenten settings and floral Easter explosions.
Seasonal Lighting Schemes
Lighting must flex dramatically. Advent requires deep purple/blue tones at low intensity, while Easter demands brilliant white. The technical solution is a tunable LED system with presets for each season—an initial investment that pays dividends in liturgical faithfulness. Position fixtures to highlight seasonal installations: a side chapel for Advent wreath, a hanging mount for Epiphany star, uplighting for Easter lilies. The control system should be simple enough for volunteers but sophisticated enough to create gradual transitions that mirror the slow turning of the church year. Consider astronomical timers that adjust with actual sunrise/sunset rather than arbitrary clock time, connecting the liturgical cycle to creation’s rhythms.
The Iconographic Theology Wall: Visual Commentary Display
This fantasy transforms a wall into a systematic theology textbook rendered in images, appealing to those who understand icons not as decoration but as visual exegesis. The iconographic wall functions as a pedagogical tool, making the invisible mysteries of faith visible through the grammar of iconography. It’s particularly beloved by theology nerds who can debate the Christological implications of different iconographic styles.
Hagiographic Arrangement Logic
Layout must reflect theological hierarchy, not alphabetical order or chronological sequence. The pantocrator belongs at the center-top, representing Christ’s cosmic reign. From there, arrange icons according to creedal structure: creation events top-left, incarnation events center, eschatological scenes top-right. Saints cluster by theological contribution rather than feast day—Augustine near the doctrine of grace, Aquinas by sacramental theology. This requires custom mounting systems that allow repositioning as your theological understanding develops. French cleat systems offer both security and flexibility. Each icon should have space for a small interpretive plaque with key biblical references and theological themes, making the wall self-teaching.
Protective Mounting Systems
Iconography demands museum-quality conservation. Specify UV-filtering acrylic rather than glass—lighter weight and better shatter resistance. Microclimate frames with silica gel buffers protect against humidity fluctuations. The wall itself should be museum board, not drywall, providing stable mounting. For the truly committed, consider a zoned HVAC system that maintains slightly cooler, drier conditions near the icons. Lighting requires a separate track system with UV-free LEDs at 3000K color temperature, positioned at 30-degree angles to minimize glare. Budget for a lux meter to verify light levels stay below 150 lux, the conservation standard for light-sensitive materials.
The Reformation Debate Hall: Confessional Dialogue Space
This fantasy creates a space designed specifically for theological disputation, honoring the Reformation’s legacy of vigorous yet charitable debate. For theology nerds who view the Westminster Assembly as the ultimate committee meeting, this room balances academic rigor with ecclesial warmth. It’s where Turretin’s Institutes meets coffee shop accessibility.
Acoustic Design for Disputation
Clear debate requires pristine acoustics. The room needs a reverberation time around 1.2 seconds—short enough for crisp articulation of complex arguments, long enough to lend gravitas to pronouncements. Achieve this through diffusive surfaces: coffered ceilings, book-lined walls, and fabric panels with theological text patterns. The center table should be octagonal, referencing baptism as the eight-day creation, with each position having equal acoustic presence. Install a boundary microphone system that can be activated by the moderator, ensuring every nuance of argumentation is captured for posterity (or at least for the church secretary’s minutes).
Display Cases for Confessional Documents
The walls should feature climate-controlled display cases for confessional documents—whether Westminster, Three Forms of Unity, or Augsburg. These aren’t mere decorations but teaching tools. Each case needs museum-grade UV protection and should be positioned at reading height with integrated LED lighting activated by proximity sensors. Consider cases that open for study sessions, allowing direct engagement with the texts. The surrounding wall space should be writeable surface (whiteboard paint or similar) for mapping out arguments and drawing connection lines between confessional statements. This transforms the room into a live-action version of those annotated systematic theology charts every theology student creates.
The Monastic Scriptorium Nook: Handwritten Scripture Space
This fantasy revives the medieval practice of copying Scripture as a form of lectio divina, creating a space where typography becomes theology. For those who’ve analyzed the textual variants in Codex Sinaiticus and dream of contributing to that sacred tradition, the scriptorium nook combines ergonomic precision with monastic aesthetics. It’s where textual criticism meets contemplative practice.
Ergonomic Scribal Furniture
The writing desk must support hours of work without fatigue. Specify a sloped surface at 15 degrees—the angle used in medieval scriptoria, verified by modern ergonomics. Height should accommodate writing while standing or sitting on a high stool, alternating positions to maintain alertness. The writing surface needs to be large enough for a codex, exemplar, and writing materials—minimum 36x24 inches. Include a separate mixing area for inks, with non-porous surfaces that won’t stain. Storage requires shallow drawers for quills, gold leaf, and other materials, arranged in the order of use to maintain liturgical rhythm in the writing process.
Illumination and Magnification
Medieval scribes worked by north light; modern equivalents need full-spectrum LED task lighting at 5000K to accurately judge ink color and line quality. Include a swing-arm magnifying lamp for detailed work, particularly when touching up illuminated initials. The space should have a copy stand that holds exemplar texts at the same visual angle as the writing surface, reducing neck strain and maintaining focus. For the truly committed, install a camera system that projects the writing surface onto a screen for teaching purposes, allowing others to watch the theological act of inscription without breathing over the scribe’s shoulder.
The Covenantal Floor: Theological Cartography
This fantasy treats the floor as a canvas for biblical theology, inlaying the narrative of redemption directly underfoot. For theology nerds who’ve mapped the covenants of works and grace, this space makes that diagram permanent. Walking across the sanctuary becomes a journey from Eden to New Jerusalem, with each step recalling divine promises.
Narrative Inlay Design
The floor requires a master craftsman capable of reading Vos’s Biblical Theology and translating it into stone. Use different colored marbles or tiles to represent covenantal epochs: green serpentine for the Adamic covenant, red jasper for Abrahamic promises, blue lapis for Mosaic law, purple porphyry for Davidic kingdom, white Carrara for New Covenant fulfillment. The design must account for foot traffic—high-traffic areas need harder, less porous stone. Borders between epochs should be subtle but distinct, perhaps a narrow band of black granite representing the exile or a golden line for the exile-to-exodus pattern. Include small medallions with covenantal signs: rainbow, circumcision, Passover lamb, David’s harp, cross.
Maintenance and Preservation
Inlaid floors demand specific maintenance protocols. Specify a penetrating sealer rather than topical coating to preserve the stone’s natural texture while protecting against stains. The sealer should be reapplied every 3-5 years, budgeted as a line item in facility management. Design the floor with future restoration in mind—individual tiles should be removable without destroying surrounding work. Keep detailed records of stone sources and installation patterns; theology nerds appreciate this level of documentation, and it’s essential for repairs. Consider embedding a time capsule beneath the center medallion, containing a written theology of the space and contemporary confessional documents, creating a physical testament for future generations.
The Bibliotheca Theologica: Personal Seminary Library
This fantasy creates a home library that rivals the best seminary collections, organized according to theological taxonomy rather than Library of Congress classification. For the theology nerd whose book budget exceeds their vacation fund, this space makes biblical scholarship accessible while preserving the aesthetic of a monastic library. It’s where Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia sits comfortably beside coffee table books on cathedral architecture.
Climate-Controlled Canon
Preserving theological works requires precise environmental control. Maintain temperature at 65-68°F and relative humidity at 40-45%—the standard for paper conservation. Fluctuations cause expansion and contraction that damages bindings over time. Install a dedicated HVAC system with HEPA filtration to remove particulates that accelerate deterioration. For rare or valuable works (that first edition Calvin, perhaps), consider a locked cabinet with additional humidity control using silica gel canisters. The system should have battery backup; losing climate control during a power outage can cause more damage than the outage itself. Include a data logger that tracks conditions, satisfying both preservation needs and the theology nerd’s love of detailed records.
Taxonomic Shelving Systems
Organization reflects theological commitments. Shelves should be adjustable to accommodate commentaries (tall) and monographs (short), with deeper sections for systematic theologies and shallower for journal issues. Consider a color-coding system using spine labels: red for biblical studies, blue for historical theology, green for practical theology, gold for systematic works. This allows visual scanning of your theological emphases. Include a rolling ladder—both practical for high shelves and evocative of monastery libraries. The ladder should have a brass plaque with a favorite bibliophilic verse, perhaps Psalm 119:105 about God’s word as a lamp. End panels can display carved reliefs of major theologians, turning functional furniture into a hall of faith.
The Confessional Choir Loft: Theological Acoustics
This fantasy reimagines the choir loft as a space where musical theology takes precedence over performance aesthetics. For those who analyze hymn texts for Trinitarian fidelity and debate exclusive psalmody, the loft becomes a laboratory for doxological precision. Every acoustic property serves theological conviction about congregational singing and the priesthood of all believers.
Directional Sound Design
The loft must project sound into the nave while allowing singers to hear themselves and each other. This requires a combination of reflective surfaces behind the choir and absorptive panels in front. Specify a sloped ceiling that directs sound downward without creating hot spots. The rail should be perforated metal or openwork wood that passes sound while providing safety—solid wood rails muffle high frequencies that carry intelligibility. Include a monitor system that pipes the preacher’s voice back to the choir, keeping them engaged with the service. The monitor mix should be adjustable by the choir themselves, empowering them as theological participants rather than performers.
Theologically-Informed Seating
Choir seating affects breathing and thus vocal production. Individual chairs allow proper posture better than pews; specify chairs with lumbar support and a slight forward tilt that opens the diaphragm. Storage under each seat holds hymnals and psalters, keeping the loft uncluttered. Arrange chairs in a slight arc, not straight rows—this improves blend and visual connection. The arc’s focal point should be the pulpit, not the conductor, reinforcing that the Word directs worship. Include standing desks at the back for choir members who prefer to stand for certain portions, acknowledging Reformed worship traditions. Each position should have a sightline to the baptismal font and communion table, connecting musical leadership to sacramental theology.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a liturgical space “theologically nerdy” rather than just traditional?
The distinction lies in intentional theological integration at every design decision level. While traditional spaces may inherit beauty and symbolism accidentally, theologically nerdy spaces are designed by people who can articulate why each element exists, citing specific biblical texts, creedal statements, and theological principles. It’s the difference between having a cross because churches have crosses, and having a cross of a specific style, material, and placement because it communicates a particular atonement theory.
How do I balance theological ambition with budget reality?
Prioritize permanent structural elements that embody core doctrines over decorative additions. A well-designed baptismal font that teaches covenant theology is worth more than gold leaf on a superficial level. Phase your project by theological importance: start with the space’s fundamental shape and orientation, add fixed elements that teach essential doctrines, then layer in changeable features for liturgical seasons. Many theology nerds find that studying church history reveals how modest materials can convey profound truth—early Christian house churches used simple frescoes, not marble.
Can these spaces work in non-traditional worship settings?
Absolutely. The principles scale from cathedral to home office. A hexaemeral theme can manifest in a reading nook with six graduated paint colors representing creation days. A typological tabernacle approach might organize a home library with Old Testament studies in one area and New Testament in another, connected by a transitional space. The key is applying theological concepts to spatial relationships, not replicating cathedral architecture in a strip mall.
What documentation should accompany these spaces?
Create a “theological design document” that explains the biblical and doctrinal basis for each major element. This serves future leaders, educates visitors, and prevents well-meaning but theologically tone-deaf renovations. Include Scripture references, creedal connections, and quotes from relevant theologians. Update it when you add elements. Think of it as a systematic theology of your space—because that’s exactly what it is.
How do I find craftspeople who understand theological nuance?
Start by contacting graduate programs in theology or church history and asking for recommendations. Many seminary students support themselves through skilled crafts. Look for artisans who ask about the theological purpose behind your requests rather than just dimensions. The right craftsperson will want to read relevant documents and may suggest design improvements based on their own theological reading. Expect to pay more for this level of engagement; you’re commissioning theological collaboration, not just labor.
Are there ecumenical considerations in designing these spaces?
Yes, and they’re crucial. If your congregation includes multiple theological traditions, design for the “mere Christianity” you share rather than denominational distinctives. Focus on creedal Christianity (Nicene, Apostles’ Creed) rather than confessional particulars. This might mean a more symbolic baptismal font that works for both paedobaptist and credobaptist theologies, or an altar/table design that accommodates both memorialist and real presence views. The space should invite theological conversation, not end it.
How do I maintain these spaces without losing their theological character?
Develop maintenance protocols that are themselves theological practices. Cleaning the typological tabernacle elements becomes an act of meditation on the Scriptures they represent. Polishing the covenantal floor offers time to rehearse salvation history. Train your facilities team not just in how to maintain elements but why each matters. This transforms maintenance from chore to discipleship. Create a liturgical calendar for deep cleaning that aligns with slower seasons like Ordinary Time or Lent.
What role should technology play in these traditional-feeling spaces?
Technology should be present but hidden, like the divine nature in Christ. Use it to enhance rather than replace theological elements. LED lighting behind stained glass allows control without visible fixtures. Microphones can be paint-matched to disappear into woodwork. Projection mapping can temporarily overlay images onto stone without permanent alteration. The key is that technology serves the theology, never drawing attention to itself. If visitors notice your tech before they notice your theological design, you’ve overdone it.
How do I introduce these concepts to a congregation that isn’t full of theology nerds?
Start with beauty and let theology follow. People intuitively respond to well-designed spaces before they can articulate why. Offer guided tours that connect visible elements to biblical texts and doctrinal statements. Create a children’s scavenger hunt that teaches theology through discovery. Preach sermon series that systematically explain your space’s design, perhaps during Ordinary Time when the liturgical calendar allows for topical exploration. Most importantly, inhabit the space theologically yourself; your evident delight in its richness will be contagious.
Can I combine multiple fantasies into one space?
Certainly, and the most sophisticated liturgical spaces do exactly this. A hexaemeral nave might incorporate a covenantal floor and typological furnishings. The key is maintaining a clear primary theological theme while allowing secondary themes to complement rather than compete. Think of it as systematic theology: Christology might be your central section, but you integrate ecclesiology, soteriology, and eschatology throughout. Create a conceptual “table of contents” for your space that shows how each element contributes to a coherent theological whole, preventing the space from becoming a cluttered warehouse of good ideas rather than a integrated theological statement.