Peter Zumthor_ Department of Architecture Facility at Cornell University

 Peter Zumthor submission panels for the Department of Architecture Facility at Cornell University

Beautiful drawings, that describe the project with life, but simplicity... 

week 1

The notion of religious architecture, in particular the notion of church architecture has not been truly been explored within our post-modern, post-religious society. Typically the 'Church' has reduced it's architecture in an unceremonious reproduction of 'traditional' styles without even considering the implications of these actions on the 'modern believer' or general society. The other option is that the notion of church architecture is reduced to a 'shell', in which the 'body of Christ' meet. Little consideration is given to the metaphysical nature of the space, the architecture is simply reduced to a functional arrangement of spaces that allow for the particular 'service' expression of the given Church. This can be seen in the use of 'tin sheds' for church buildings. Is this wrong, I don't know.

Ultimately the 'works' of Christ removed three things from the notion of 'typical' religion, the need for a temple (John 2:19 - 1 Corinthians 6:19), the need for sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10), and the need for a dedicated priesthood (1 Peter 2:5). So the Church no longer needs to fit a the rigid structure of religion, the 'interaction' with God is no longer controlled by a rigid structure that is inherent within the 'temple'.

So the ultimate question: What is the future of Church architecture???

Watch this S P A C E: as I explore and try to answer this question...