Category: Church

Novy Dvur Monastery by John Pawson

It’s as if John Pawson is trying to prove that monastic austerity is capable of brightening our spiritual needs—no surprise, considering that with the minimalist British architect, “Every architectural word tells.”

A reductive design process that questions the necessity of every element in the desire to eliminate what is superfluous. This discretion in design is vital for a group of robed Cistercian monks, originally from France, who deliberately seeks seclusion. The restored Our Lady of Novy Dvur monastery, in the Czech Republic is their entire world—based on bare necessities and self denial.

Mr. Pawson’s edgy poetry in the Our Lady of Novy Dvur monastery is evident. Everything is a shade of white. Spartan interiors with a dramatic stripped down elegance of modernism that reveals hidden sources of light. Concrete, plaster and wood; no stained glass; minimal comfort.

This extraordinary serenity is rare. And we are glad that Cistercian monks do these things, so we don’t have to.

For those of Mr. Pawson’s fan club: The London Design Museum’s exhibition “John Pawson Plain Space,” will feature John Pawson’s work from September, 22 2010 to January, 30 2011.

→ More images

Residential church XL

The Dutch architecture agency Zecc loves minimalist churches and so do we. We have mentioned their chapel some time ago and again they did a great job with this converted church in Utrecht, the Netherlands.

Since a few years this church is used as a showroom for antique furnishing, a conference room and a space for small concerts. Because of these functions a floor was inserted in the church.

In the design of Zecc this inserted level is adjusted to emphasize the spatial qualities and sight lines of the church. Underneath this floor the bed room, study room en bath room are realized.

To keep the façade of the church undamaged, no window frames are added to the façade, but the inside of the enormous church is seen as an exterior space. In this way internal patios in the inserted floors are realized to provide the underlying function with day light.

→ More images

Minimal chapel

Dutch architecture agency Zecc transformed an old Catholic church in the Dutch city Utrecht into one spatial residence with a minimal appearance.

The character of the small church is maintained and where possible reinforced. It’s kept minimalistic and given abstract shapes, by which it intensifies the contrast with the original soft shapes of the chapel. For extra daylight roof windows are added, through which diffused light enters the chapel.

Some original furniture is re-used in the new atmosphere, like the church benches in the dining-zone. Also the table is made out of church benches.

This beautiful chapel has been nominated for the Dutch Design Award in 2008 and I can’t wait until it will be put on sale.

→ More images

Church of The Light

The Church of The Light was built in 1989, in the city of Ibaraki, Osaka. It was designed by Japanese architect Tadao Ando. What’s so interesting about this church, is how the architecture itself induces a spiritual experience.

When you compare it to your regular Catholic church, or even Protestant church, the first feature you recognize is the profound emptiness of the interior. The only shiny bit is the huge cross of light; and it is so overwhelmingly large that you cannot help but experience a sense of smallness.

Furthermore, the distinct void space and absolute quiet amount to a sense of serenity. For Ando, the emptiness is meant to invade the occupant, so there is room for the ‘spiritual’ to fill them.

Photography by Liao Yusheng.

→ More images