What does the modern church look like? Architecture of Richard Meier in Rome
Rome is the "eternal city" with a concentration of the most beautiful religious buildings of Christianity. In the 21st century, it is necessary to maintain interest in the church and religion. What does the Catholic Church look like today?
Jubilee year 2000
The Jubilee Year or Holy Year is in Catholic culture a time of spiritual renewal, return to faith, and strengthening of the religious community. It is a period full of ceremonies organized for pilgrims. It is found in the Old Testament, and later this Jewish custom, organized every 50 years, was accepted by Christians.
The Jubilee Church is part of an ambitious project to build 50 new sanctuaries in Rome for the Millennium Jubilee Year 2000. This modern church was opened in 2003 after 5 years of construction.
Jubilee Church - Church of God the Merciful Father, Chiesa di Dio Padre Misericordioso
The competition for the church invited the most eminent names in world architecture in that period of time. It was won by the American architect Richard Meier, with his recognizable "white architecture", formed from basic geometric shapes.
The Catholic Church has shown (again) that it will hire the best artists for the presentation of its faith and allow them to freely contribute their visions.
Contemporary church - focus on basic symbols of faith
The minimalist style especially touched the interior of the religious space: single large monochrome fresco with the image of Jesus, single sculpture of the crucifixion, a contemporary organ space. At the approach to the building, a simple, impressive cross and a small bell.
This minimalism claims that this much is enough for faith.
The entire building - a fragment of the dome
Geometrically, the object looks like a piece of an oversized multi-layered dome. The largest domes in the history of architecture are two-layered because of the height, but also the maintenance. Here, layering serves for natural thermoregulation, in addition to a constructive role. In this building, it also enables the introduction of attractive zenithal glass surfaces that give a sense of the lightness of the floating construction. The interior of the church is bathed in daylight. The outside walls are coated with special cement that reduces air pollution.
You can see how the Jubilee Church of God the Merciful Father looks in more detail in the video shown in the text.
An architectural envelope around history
The second most important, impressive project by the architect Richard Meier in Rome, is the Ara Pacis Museum - Altar of Peace. It was built in 2005, since then it has been the subject of constant criticism and pre-election promises.
Place a completely modern facility around a top archaeological site in Rome. Where history is presented in preserved ruins still provokes negative reactions. However, the facility fully fulfilled its purpose. The transparent cover with horizontal brisoles allows viewing from the outside and illumination with natural light, and protects the object from atmospheric influences and other damages.
Directional movement under the direction of the architect
The Ara Pacis Museum is part of a spatial complex with several objects from different periods.
The architect created a special micro-ambiance around these buildings by creating a square with a fountain. It is bordered on the side of the street by a long wall, which limits your access. Originally, the wall was taller, but city leaders demanded it be lower. In order to enjoy this space, you can't just be a passerby, you have to take a little more time, get out of the city bustle and slow down.
Architect Richard Meier
American architect Richard Meier is the winner of the Pritzker Prize and the Gold Award of the American Institute of Architects. Its architecture is mostly white and "abstract" in geometric shapes placed on floating, transparent glass surfaces.
