Religious architecture

Casa RC is a spiritual and community center in Mérida designed for Regnum Christi. The program brings together a sanctuary and chapel, an auditorium, coworking and study areas, and a café—a place conceived for both quiet contemplation and active community life, where faith, work and gathering coexist within a shared architectural language. FORMM Creative Group FORMM Creative Group FORMM Creative Group FORMM developed the complete architectural design and visualization of the center, shaping each space according to its emotional character: serenity in the sanctuary, energy in the common areas, and warmth in the café and coworking spaces. The chapel and sanctuary anchor the composition, using light a... More

This addition and remodel reimagines an original Coeur d’Alene church for a congregation moving toward a more modern, community-focused future. In partnership with Garden Church, the design preserves the building’s historic presence while introducing a renewed sense of openness, light, and usability. Caption Caption Caption Caption Caption Traditional details were respected and retained, but simplified to support Garden’s emphasis on clarity, warmth, and connection. The result is a space that functions intuitively for contemporary worship while still carrying the comfort and identity of the original structure, a familiar landmark with a distinctly refreshed purpose. Caption Caption Ca... More

For the development of this project, the organization of the outdoor space and the relationship with the elements of the cemetery were taken into account. The building fits into the natural and built environment of it’s surroundings. NRENDERS NRENDERS The mission of structuring and organizing the form falls on the external square with a water mirror, aligned with an existing chapel in the cemetery. The volumetry emerges as a response to the forces imposed by the place and the circular movement of the square.  NRENDERS The main body of the Chapel embraces the square, establishing a close relationship by opening a direct access to the presbytery. To the north is the main door, preceded by the vaulted atrium, achive... More

This renovation for a church in Hong Kong uses a predominantly light and natural material palette. Timber louvers along the entrance of the church hall provides a sense of porosity to the space. Wooden pews on either side of the aisle form a strong perspective toward the altar and cross, echoed by custom pendant lights suspended from the ceiling.   Leon Xu Liang Leon Xu Liang Leon Xu Liang Leon Xu Liang New Office Works New Office Works New Office Works New Office Works More

In the heart of Toronto’s Annex neighborhood, the First Narayever Synagogue modestly nestles within a block of Victorian brick houses. It is unusual to find an institution embedded within the residential street, but the location makes the Narayever an easy walk for its congregants, and the building contributes to the neighborhood’s charm and sense of community. Younes Bounhar - Doublespace Photography Younes Bounhar - Doublespace Photography The single-story building was constructed as a Foresters’ Hall in the 1890s and subsequently served as Toronto’s first Mennonite congregation. It was acquired by the congregation in 1943, who maintained the simple, white-walled sanctuary, with only modest subsequent al... More

This chapel, located within the cemetery of Mazzarino, is conceived as a place where everything is designed to evoke introspection and peace. The architectural layout follows the existing site footprint, with interior space defined by the subtraction of volumes—a direct result of a construction system that allows for no alternatives. Caption The openings adhere strictly to the geometry of the voids, serving to bring natural light, fresh air, or access into the building. The main entrance, crafted from perforated metal, leads directly to the center of the chapel, where visitors are welcomed into an extremely clean and minimal space. Here, the geometry is defined by the lines of the tombstones and the coffered ceiling. Caption... More

The site allocated for the construction of the museum and temple center is located along the designed passage between the Tushino 2018 residential area and the Moskva River embankment..The volumetric-spatial composition of the temple is based on a combination of the stylobate part, planned to house a Sunday school, and a multi-stage single-domed volume. The architecture of the complex refers to the traditions of Vladimir-Suzdal architecture, forming an ensemble with a memorable silhouette along the Moscow River. Marika Volkova LIGHTING DESIGN SOLUTIONA distinctive feature of the white stone church of Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Duke Vladimir is the facade with textured floral patterns, thanks to which classical architecture acquired a... More

The Multi-Faith Centre at the University of Toronto accommodates spiritual and faith-based practices, encouraging interfaith dialogue and spiritual development as part of campus life. The space is a uniquely versatile venue in which people of all faiths feel equally welcome and equally valued. Selective alterations to the existing interior create ‘faith-neutral’ spaces that provide sanctuary and retreat for all people, creating opportunities for interfaith dialogue and study.  Tom Arban Tom Arban ‘Light’ (spiritual and metaphysical) emerged as a common theme to all faiths and became the central feature of the main facility hall. A dramatic ceiling and front wall of backlit translucent white onyx panel... More

le temple borobudur Inspired by Borobudur, the largest Buddhist temple in the world, Hotel Le Temple was designed by Apconsultant. The design of this new stupa is inspired by the design of the original stupa of Hotel Le Temple, where the design of this stupa was designed directly by the founder of Hotel Le Temple, Mr. Jolan Tachet. Providing guests with an unforgettable experience with a unique architectural combination inspired by the principles of Buddhist temples and the magic of Borobudur apconsultant apconsultant apconsultant apconsultant   The most challenging thing is to combine temple philosophy with modern design principles - a combination that has a certain geometric composition must have a certain geome... More

Studio ST Architects’ renovation of the 94-year-old Ansche Chesed Synagogue revitalizes the space to encourage a greater sense of community and to accommodate twenty-first century needs. The main project challenge was redesigning the landmarked synagogue to make the spaces feel more contemporary yet reflective of the building’s past. Studio ST upgraded the functionality, aesthetics and security of the 1927 Romanesque-Byzantine synagogue while relating to its historic features. Bilyana Dimitrova The synagogue wished to increase the building’s security while maintaining a sense of an open and welcoming space. A new security office was created in the entry vestibule, and a lockdown system was installed in the main assem... More

The award-winning Skokie Valley Synagogue renovation transformed the sanctuary, built in 1963, from a dark and formal room to an ethereal, bright and ADA accessible space for a contemporary congregation. The renovation included the installation of new windows and HVAC system throughout the building, as well as converting the old, large stage into new, modern bathrooms and a coat room. Kendall McCaugherty In order to brighten the sanctuary, a large triangular skylight was installed in the center of the room, lighting the location of the prayer leader. The existing colored vertical windows were replaced with clear glass, and the outdated candelabra chandeliers were removed. New minimal LED linear cove uplights were installed, washing th... More

The Narre Warren North Mosque will provide a place of worship and assembly for the local Muslim community set within an expansive valley setting. A site-responsive approach integrates built form with the natural surrounds, while offering new prayer hall mosque, ancillary building, pedestrian walks and car parking. The development comprises two co-located buildings that work cohesively by juxtaposing height and scale. The form draws upon the site topography and orientation of Mecca. Caption The materiality of the building is sympathetic to its location and context. The external walls are dark concrete paired with landscape berms that immerse the building into the natural landscape. The roof material is dark and recessive to further g... More

Located on a prominent corner opposite Canterbury Gardens, the Canterbury Baptist Church has been serving the community since 1891. To support ongoing environmental and economic sustainability, an opportunity was identified to enhance the site through high quality, considered apartments and additional facilities for the Church congregation and local community. The proposed multipurpose hall is designed to reference the existing architecture of the Church, designed by prominent architect Keith Reid in 1962. Strategically replacing a number of separate buildings and spaces surrounding the Church itself, the architectural form and materiality directly relate to the neighbourhood context of established residential streets. The development c... More

The architectural intervention in the Ancestral Church of Fraião, in Braga, Portugal, is an intervention of analysis and decision. An analysis about the degradation state of the latest interventions carried out in the beginning of the 20thcentury. The coatings and extensions made with painted cement mortars, both inside and outside the main church, reinforced the decision to uncover its original characteristics by removing the degraded coatings.The scarce information about the former construction further drives to the commitment to unveil its essence and the interventions previously carried out. Attilio Fiumarella The design plan presents a simple spatial organization, composed by two rectangles of slightly different dimensions... More