Week Two: Day Three

Shiv Temple (India, 2010)
Sameep Padora & Associates 

Mosque for all (Albania, 2011)
BIG

Westchester Reform Temple (NY, 2009)
Rogers Marvel Architects

Jubilee Church (Italy, 2003)
Richard Meier & Partners

Mosque (Saudi Arabia, 2010)
FXFOWLE

Jewish Re-constructionist Congrgation Synagogue
(USA, 2008)
Ross Barney Architects

Church of St.Francis (Brazil, 1943)
Oscar Niemexer

Outdoor Room (China, 2013)
MODU

Catholic Leadership Centre (Australia, 2012)
WOODS BAGOT

Restoration & Adaptation of 18th Century Chapel (Spain, 2012)
Adam Bresnick

The Crystal Cathedral (California, 1980)
Philip Johnson 

St James Cathedral Centre (Canada, 2012)
Architects Alliance

The Sanctuary of Santa Paulina (Brazil)
HS Arquitetos

Lorvao Monaster (Portugal, 2013)
Joao Mendes Ribeiro

San Josemaria Escriva Chruch (Mexico)
Sordo Madaleno Arquitectos

Interior Remodelling of St. Moritz Church (2013)
John Pawson

Korean Presbyterian Church (USA, 2013)
ARCARI & Lovino Architects

(Open Buildings)
(Archdaily)

These structures are examples of contemporary modern day religious architecture. After analysing each of these structures one by one I decided to write about them all together as I found very similar characteristics within each. Light is a major focal point for many of these structures, it holds a very illuminating quality and adds to the spiritual atmosphere. The light very gracefully changes the look of the structures to make them in some ways look more sophisticated. The shadows cast seem to almost create a protective barrier around the buildings, like a spiritual shield, this adds to the element of the protection people go to places of worship to feel. Another similarity I have found is within the colour, many of the structures are of neutral exterior. This creates a calming and larger atmosphere and look. These neutral colours are very associated with reflecting and relaxation, again reinforcing a calming aura. Some of the structures are in ways revealing, whether this is through the use of light or glass they carry this quality. This in some ways works very well (especially the ones with light) but mostly it goes against the purpose as worship is more of a private affair. In my design I will include this quality of revealing the interior within parts as Hinduism has a lot of areas in the religion where it is more of a social and group activity rather than private, e.g. eating together at the Mandir (temple)