Sacred Architecture

John Pawson, Wooden Chapel, Unterliezheim, 2018

Hybrid Modernism. Churches in Kerala by Haubitz-Zoche 

Photographer Stefanie Zoche of Haubitz-Zoche has captured a series of vibrant images showcasing the “hybrid modernism” churches of the Southern Indian region of Kerala. The images below, also available on the artist’s website, depict the blend of modernist influences and local architectural elements that defined many Indian churches following the country’s 1947 independence.

Westminster Abbey extended with “steampunk gothic” tower by Ptolemy Dean Architects 

Domus Alba by Federico Scarchilli

CISTERCIAN ARCHITECTURE IN ITALY

Domus alba is an imaginary reign build with stone, a natural uncolored material which evokes valors that have been forgotten with modernity. Domus alba aims on bringing back the human being in his primitive spiritualness, indeed these way of thinking is disappearing by new generations.

Domus alba tries to reconstruct our spiritual identity and connecting it with the higher power: this place helps to separate us from our world that is dominated by hyper saturated colours, it estranges from the unstoppable frenzy that burns instantly our lives and from those delirious sounds we hear daily.

Kapelle Salgenreute in Krumbach

In the words of the architect Bernardo Bader Architects:

Topographically attractively situated at the Nagelfluhrücken, next to the Krumbacher moor, the existing Lourdes –Chapel was rebuilt. A renovation of the old chapel was no longer possible and to regenerate the existing was not the desired aim of the community of Krumbach. Rather, to use the existing knowledge and the courage to create the new.  Several years of designing and constructing made an exemplary project visible. More than a hundred of volunteers made it possible to realize the project. 

The chapel Salgenreute unites the historical and traditional aspect that characterizes many places in the Bregenzerwald. The chapel is built out of wood and stone. The sun is going to change the wooden façade – it will turn darker, black in the south, silver-grey in the north, just like the old farmhouses from the area. The basic shape is based on the existing 200 year old chapel and includes a main ship as well as an apse. The shape of the room is new – an outstanding steep rising spatial folding made out of wood. The inside of the chapel is dominated by  the homogeneous material of the wall and the roof. The light that shines through the frontal window is providing a special atmosphere. The statue of mother of God, originated from the existing building, is arranged in an other way than in the classical concepts at the side of the apse. The view straight ahead through the white apse leads directly into the nature. Whoever enters the chapel leaves the solid ground and proceeds a reflective journey.