Religion has a very powerful influence in economics and politics, and therefore in architecture as well. But if we overlook that for a second and think about religion in a spiritual way, in a way of finding inner peace, being happy with oneself and with our society, then we start understanding the role of religious architecture today.
Designing such a mystical space requires a special light treatment, a dramatic use of height and specific materiality.
Is modern architecture capable of inspiring us with its warmth, light and atmosphere? Here you have some recent examples of modern religious architecture. What do these spaces transmit to you?
Project: Chapel of St.Lawrence
Location: Vantaa (Finland)
Architect: Avanto Architects
Year: 2010
Project: San Josemaría Escrivá Church
Location: Mexico City (Mexico)
Architect: Javier Sordo Madaleno Bringas
Year: 2008
Project: Church in La Laguna
Location: Tenerife (Spain)
Architect: Menis Arquitectos
Year: 2008
Project: Sunset Chapel
Location: Acapulco (Mexico)
Architect: BNKR Arquitectura
Year: 2011
Project: Kamppi Chapel
Location: Helsinki (Finland)
Architect: K2S Architects
Year: 2012
Project: Church of Seed
Location: Guangdong (China)
Architect: O Architects
Year: 2011
Project: Chapel in Villeaceron
Location: Almadén (Spain)
Architect: S.M.A.O.
Year: 2001
Project: St Mary’s Kinglake Church
Location: St Marry (Australia)
Architect: Kavellaris Urban Design
Year: 2010
Project: Double Church for Two Faiths
Location: Freiburg im Breisgau (Germany)
Architect: Kister Scheithauer Gross Architects And Urban Planners
Year: 2012
Project: Temporary chapel for the Deaconesses of St-Loup
Location: Hôpital de St-Loup (Switzerland)
Architect: Localarchitecture & Danilo Mondada
Year: 2008
Project: Santa Ana’s Chapel
Location: Santa Maria da Feira (Portugal)
Architect: e|348 arquitectura
Year: 2009
Project: Farewell Chapel
Location: Krasnja (Slovenia)
Architect: OFIS arhitekti
Year: 2009
Virginia Duran 
Thanks for showing the incredible range of modern church architecture. I am surprised by how many of them appear to be very enclosed spaces, almost secretive as well as secluded. Would love to visit these places.
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You gave me the idea to write about modern religious architecture 🙂
It took me some time to gather this information though. The closest one to you is in St. Marry, Australia!
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I am glad I gave you the idea because your post is really interesting. We focus so much on old Church architecture but your post proves that there is a lot of new Church architecture that is worth visiting. Not just churches either. We have a Buddhist centre near us which I love for its architecture and its serene interior and exterior. Actually the church I like most in your post is the Australian one!
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Yes, you are right! We focus on old church architecture when there has clearly been an evolution. I hope your Cartboard Church (was that the name?) end up looking as some of these spaces. And would love to read about the Buddhist centre!!
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A great post; thank you!
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LIKEEEEE
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Maravilloso tu post, se respira arte de verdad¡
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Gracias 🙂
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Feels like they want to reach up to the sky… Beautiful architecture!
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Interesting. Most were contructed of straight lines, many slanted, but few with curves or rounded. Most austere, few opulent. They felt masculine, restrictive; not open or feminine. Hard and cold, not warm or inviting. Wonder what that means?
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O catedrala mai “deosebită” ca arhitectură este cea din Predeal :
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I had to translate that! Where is this church?
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Thank you so much for sharing these, I found them fascinating! Have you seen the Chapel of the Holy Cross in Sedona AZ? I have a photo of it from the outside at the end of this post. https://travelsandtrifles.wordpress.com/2013/01/20/wild-weekly-photo-challenge-people-in-nature-weekly-photo-challenge-beyond/
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Great post! I visited two churches like this in Czech republic:
http://www.designmagazin.cz/architektura/20691-cernosice-maji-novou-modlitebnu-cirkve-bratrske.html
this one is a bot older, so I found only this shot:
http://portal.cb.cz/2013-uvedeni-vikare-v-ostrave
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You have got one seriously interesting blog. i could do this all day!
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Thanks for your kind words =)
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I was amazed that among these churches were some from Finland. Personally I do not love so much modern architecture but old. Most lovely I find old wooden churches. One of my favorite is:
Sculptor’s private wooden church.
It is small but delighting to find its doors, benches, floor and altar piece inside – all wooden.
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I had never heard of that beautiful church so thanks for sharing. Loved the wood craftsmanship and the details. I’m now learning more about the artist!
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