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Showing posts with label modern church. Show all posts
Showing posts with label modern church. Show all posts

The Conversion Of The Convent de Sant Francesc by Architect David Closes





The intervention in the church of the convent of Sant Francesc, located in the Catalan town of Santpedor, was meant to convert the building into a cultural facility. The two phases implemented have allowed the building to be put to use as an auditorium and multipurpose cultural space. It is expected that in the future, a third stage will allow the upper floors of the chapels (on the south side of the church) to be used as a historical archive.



The convent complex of Sant Francesc was built in the eighteenth century by Franciscan priests. The convent, which includes the renovated Church, was built between 1721 and 1729. The complex was used as a convent until 1835. In 2000 the convent, by then in ruins, was demolished by the state. Only the church and part of the perimeter wall of the convent remained standing, although in very poor condition.



The renovation of the church occurred in 2003. The building had never been isolated, but an inextricable part of the whole convent complex. In fact, the existing upper floors of the side chapels of the church were units that could only be accessed from the first floor of the convent, but not from the church itself. With the demolition of the convent, the church, which originally only had two walls, went on to have four.



The church, due to its very modest construction quality, was in ruins. It bears noting that the roof had sunk, the choir had disappeared, and the vaults of the nave and chapels had partially fallen. The church, from the outside, was only interesting from a historical perspective. The interior of the church, however, showed – despite its dilapidated state – remarkable spatial qualities. Thanks to the sinking roof and crumbling ceiling, the church was surprisingly enhanced by large inflows of natural light. The interior of the church, which originally received virtually no natural light whatsoever, took on a majestic air in the light.




The premise of the project intervention was to maintain the size and spatial quality of the nave of the church as well as the important inputs of natural light. Attempting to maintain light inputs at different points led us to propose different solutions: a large skylight on the north side of the apse, a skylight with views of the belfry from the inside of the nave, an open main chapel, and a cut in the roof right at the beginning of the nave to ensure light would reach the inside of the entrance wall.


 

The renovation of the building has been developed with the goal of differentiating the new elements constructed (using contemporary construction systems and languages) from the original elements of this historical church. With the aim of preserving all aspects of the building’s past, the intervention has not hidden traces, wounds or scars. Thus, they have remained visible depressions, holes where the altarpieces once were, traces of missing elements.

 


Another challenge was to maintain the unity and dimension of the nave of the church, even with new volumes for uses and requirements the church had never had before: stairs to climb to the upper floors, toilets, and equipment rooms. To preserve the sense of space and unity inside the church, these volumes have been located, in part, outside the building or have been placed inside in a way which maintains the vision of unified space, in both the nave and the main chapel.

The set of stairs and ramps built, apart from ensuring access to the upper floors of the church, also define a circular path that runs throughout the whole building, much like a museum’s. This circular route allows you to trace back and revisit the church as a whole, from distinct points of view.

The construction and the building methods used have sought to strengthen the church without deleting the signs of deterioration the building has suffered. The intervention has sought to preserve the building’s historic legacy by adding new values that enhance it and give this ancient convent a unique, contemporary form.




Architects: David Closes
Location:Santpedor, Spain
Project Year: 2011
Project Area: 950.0 sqm
Photographs: Jordi Surroca
via

A Place Lego Lovers Will Worship. Abondantus Gigantus, A Lego-Like Church Pavilion.





In 2011, Michiel de Wit and Filip Jonker of LOOS.FM designed a temporary pavilion in the public space for the Grenswerk Festival in Enschede, Netherlands. The pavilion was to be a versatile meeting point and a place for stage performances, exhibitions and the catering industry.



They searched for a recognizable building; the oddness of proportions only works if the image is recognized. The choice therefore fell on a church with a spire 20 meters tall.



The pavilion (Abondantus Gigantus) is made up of so-called Legioblocks: concrete blocks that are very similar to the famous Lego brand bricks. The blocks start out grey and nondescript, with an industrial beauty.


above: in this former F16 hangar on Twente airport, a total of 618 blocks were painted.



Above all, the blocks are reminiscent of the toy-sized Legos while being the size of pyramid stones. Although these blocks are multifunctional, hardly anyone makes use of their full potential. They are mainly used in dumping grounds surrounding harbors, as a wall for iron scrap or for sheltering potatoes. Once a wall of Legioblocks has been placed, it usually remains there for years, even though they are easy and flexible to build with. The Legioblocks are easily stacked and versatile in their use.






The concrete blocks are painted in 5 primary Lego colors and used indiscriminately to build the spire and walls. The blocks creates an oddness in proportions. The reference to Lego bricks often call up feelings of remembrance, sentiment and creativity. The size of the church on the other hand, inspires the spectator with awe.




The blocks are stacked in a so-called honeycomb brickwork. Because the blocks are not stacked firmly together, a (uniform) perforation in the volume occurs. This adds an extra dimension - day and sunlight entering during the day and at night emits an enchanting radiance; it´s a fascinating effect between volume and airiness.



Because of this, the appearance of the object is continually changing. The reflection and absorption of daylight, sunlight and artificial lighting on the primary colored blocks provides another dimension to experiencing the spaciousness.

The building process:





During the design process the definitive programming was decided. At this time, the final model of the pavilion was made. Three locations were created for a variety of activities. An inside and outside stage, a platform, and a room in the spire.





A variety of activities were possible because of the open source programming in the Abondantus Gigantus. From a special sports day and a Lego building contest to opera and a church service. Anyone could make use of the church.



With the choice in materials they aim to show that with these blocks it is easy to build and vary designs. The material can be fully reused and the building is completely demountable. For each of the next editions of the festival (for a period of 5 years), the same blocks may be used to build a new pavilion. This makes the building less location-dependent.





The pavilion makes a connection between something grand and overwhelming (the church and its size) and something playful, simple and comprehensible (Lego). Due to the Legioblocks´s increasing global popularity, this building may serve as an example for all that may be possible.

Here's a ten minute video of the building process and opening ceremony:


all images courtesy of LOOS.FM

Holy Modern Home! Renovated Church Townhouse In Utrecht Is For Sale.





In 2009, the Saint Jakobus Church, located in Utrecht, on Bemuurde Weerd Oostzijde 56, was converted under architectural supervision of Zecc Architecture, into a beautiful modern town house called "The Residential Church XL."

Originally built in 1870, the Utrecht Old Catholic Parish had ordered the construction of a church and vicarage. Architect Gerard Gerritsen 'finished the job' in a little more than seven months, for the sum of 25,481 florins.



The church tower at the front was unfortunately too heavy for the foundation and had to be demolished in 1889. The Saint Jakobus was a soberly decorated church, being the only church built in Utrecht in the so-called 'plasterers' gothic style.




Inside, the stained glass windows date back to 1911:




The original nave (14 meters high) is impressive, but the balanced design of the inner space ensures that a human dimension is not ignored.



The atmosphere, created by both the furniture and styling, is the work of Thomas Haukes from (springers) wonen. The result complements the strong design of the architecture, creating an extremely original, modern and streamlined living space.




The clear plainness that the Saint Jakobus exuded at the time of architect Gerard Gerritsen still gives power today to this monumental building.




The current owners were very careful in the renovation and refurbishment. The renowned Utrecht-based firm of ZECC Architects undertook the transformation from church to home with a great attention to light, space and functionality.

Unfurnished upper level:


The former Saint Jakobus Church is of historic and architectural significance due to its location and relationship with the surroundings. The church is also registered as municipal monument.

Good restaurants, cafes and terraces full of atmosphere but the city will not disappoint you in its cultural side: it offers various museums, theaters and concert halls.

Most attractions and nightlife spots are within walking distance.



Some specs and details of the home for you:

Dimensions (approximately)

• Parcel (own ground) 670 m2
• Living area 475 m2
• Front garden 90 m2
• Back garden 150 m2

HOUSE - GENERAL
• Living kitchen
• Elevated living room floor
• Hobby room/study
• Study
• Sleeping room/bathroom (incl. toilet)
• Guestroom/ bathroom (incl. toilet)
• Guest toilet

KITCHEN
• BULTHAUP cooking island (3.60 m x 1.20 m)
• Refrigerator
• Dishwasher
• 5-burner induction cooker
• Combi-oven
• Quooker
• 2 pantries
• Remotely-controlled sophisticated lighting program.

MISC.
• The Church is registered as municipal monument
• (newly implemented) architectural elements built under warranty
• Isolated crawlspace
• No previously existing cemetery
• Full exterior painting done
• Owners are members of Monumentenwacht
• Municipal subsidy confirmed for long-term external maintenance

EXTRA OPTIONS
• Internal elevator
• Bar
• Electronically operated railing in front garden
• Alarm installation
• Additional sleeping room(s)


FOR SALE: BEMUURDE WEERD OOSTZIJDE 56 UTRECHT

The renovated church is for sale right now, if you are interested, please contact THOMAS HAUKES +31 (0)6 53 67 19 14 | info@wonkerk xl.com

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