Church – beauty and kitsch

(…) we ourselves are dust of the earth (…); our very bodies are made up of her elements, we breathe her air and we receive life and refreshment from her waters.

ENCYCLICAL LETTER ‘LAUDATO SIí OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS, 2015

Idea.

The idea of this project is to create a modern Church ñ a meeting place for God and people ñ which would serve as a main part of a parish ñ live center of Believers Communitiesí activity.

Project assumptions:

• Creating a multifunction space and a flexible space for different forms of local Believers Communitiesí activity;
• Aiming at a sustainable development ideal expressed i.e. in ìLaudato siî encyclical letter by Pope Francis;
• Including the Community in building and use of the parish center;
• Fulfillment of the liturgical reform of the Second Vatican Council;

Urban composition.

The Parish Center is located at the end of main composition axis of Nowe Øerniki, where it crosses the Education Zone. The Parish Center uses a socially exposed area, at the same time it does not use any urban dominant.

The buildings architecture.

The architecture of the designed unit has a primary, basic character. It creates a subdued background of the Believers encounter with God, but also points to a communal aspect of religion. In this aspect its sacral character is clearly seen without any reference to religious symbols whatsoever.

Light, and luminous construction of the roof rests on massive, rammed earth Walls. The clear vizual boarder between those two contrasting elements is trespassed only by the altar cross.

Niches, surrounding the nave, can accommodate temporary and permanent arrangements. The interior of the church will define gradually over the years due to the natural activity of the Community.

Simple, traditional building technologies, the modularity and the economics of the project, allow significant contribution of parishioners at the construction site.