‘Durham Cathedral can be whatever you want it to be’: Examining the negotiation of space and time

Durham Cathedral serves as a dynamic space where community actions reshape both physical and temporal dimensions, creating 'malleable assemblages' that allow it to function simultaneously as a place of worship, tourism, and community events. This study reveals how spaces become places through enacted negotiation, challenging traditional notions of sacred time and spatial fixedness. Building on Bergson’s concept of duration, Munn’s space-time framework, and Eliade’s sacred time theory, the research uses ethnographic examples to demonstrate that time and space in Durham Cathedral are fluid constructs, constantly redefined by community interactions. The findings highlight the cathedral's adaptability, embodying a multifaceted identity that evolves with its diverse user needs.

Calvert, A. J. (2018). ‘Durham Cathedral can be whatever you want it to be’: Examining the negotiation of space and time. Ethnography, 20(4), 523–540. https://doi.org/10.1177/1466138118787211