Brasilia, Brazil
Inspired by the work of Oscar Niemeyer and Lucio Costa, two architects that formed the architectural identity of the city of Brasilia, ArqBr Arquitetura e Urbanismo designs a church made of concrete taking advantage of the surrounding landscape in the suburbs of the city.
Located outside the urban environment, the Church of the Holy Family consists of three structures, a linear, elongated annex building, a circular building, and a rigid concrete tower that stands alone in the front as a symbol of guidance for the faithful.
The circular structure that contains the main chapel is sunk into the landscape that reaches by a shallow ramp leading downwards. Its roof is ringed with roof lights, bringing natural light down across wood-clad interior walls.
A series of narrow windows are set at ground level, offering the interior a constantly shifting pattern of light throughout the day.
As the architects have stated, their design follows “three fundamental premises, an architecture open to the horizon, the inseparability of public and private space, and the role of the landscape as a structuring and fundamental element of the architectural configuration.”
Project: Church of the Holy Family in Brasilia
Architects: ArqBr Arquitetura e Urbanismo
Lead Architects: Eder Alencar and André Velloso
Photographers: Joana França
