Church in Colonia, Uruguay Building, Project, Photo, News, Design

Church in Colonia Uruguay : Architecture

Religious Development in South America – design by Lambrechts Bertinat Arquitectos

11 Mar 2009

Church in Colonia

Catholic Church, Uruguay
2006
Design: Lambrechts Bertinat Arquitectos

National architecture competition winner

The national competition, launched by the Catholic Church in Uruguay and the Society of Architects of Uruguay, was to design a small church on the River Plate coast, near Colonia, Uruguay.

Catholic Church Uruguay building

This was won by Lambrechts-Bertinat Architects. The project was completed in December 2006.

This small Catholic Church is situated on the shores of the River Plate on the isolated Parant Beach. The stretches of white sand contrast sharply with the blood red waters of the River Plate making an ethereal quality in the light which is reflected in the colours of the church. The interior is light, wrapped up by these two folding-bracing walls holding a hull shaped roof, a hyperparaboloid, “floating above” that draws the views of the visitors. This isolated sculptured church also respects the traditional constructions of the village in a congenial fashion.

Church in Colonia Uruguay building

The only standing-out element, the cross/campanile, can be seen from the beach above the line of trees along the coast. The design was inspired by a nautical theme based on references from the inspirational story of a small XVIIth century carved wooden image of the Virgin Mary, made by Indigenous South Americans, brought to the country through the mighty South American rivers.

The overall composition echoes the Modern Dutch Expressionism, which became a traditional language in domestic and public Uruguayan architecture since the early 1920’s. Conceived to ‘float’ on a moat of water the Church rises up and uses the reflective qualities to increase its presence as well as its acoustic reflective properties to perform mass in the outdoor spaces during the summer.

Colonia Church Building Colonia Church Building Uruguay Church Building Uruguay Colonia Church Uruguay

Church in Colonia Uruguay images / information from Lambrechts Bertinat Arquitectos 110309

Location: Port of Colonia, Uruguay

Church Buildings

New Uruguay Architecture

Contemporary Uruguay Architectural Projects, chronological:

Uruguay Architecture Designs – chronological list

Uruguay Buildings – Selection

Metropolitan Cathedral South Tower Rehabilitation, Montevideo
Design: Estudio / LT _ Arch. Martín López + Arch. Juan Pablo Tuja
Montevideo Metropolitan Cathedral
photography : Daniela Soto, Manuel Machado
Metropolitan Cathedral Montevideo Building

Punta House
Design: studio mk27 – marcio kogan + suzana glogowski
Punta House, Uruguay Residence Punta Del Leste house
photography : Reinaldo Coser
Punta House

South American Buildings

Montevideo Architecture

Argentina Architecture

Architect practice led by Pablo Lambrechts, Architect

Website: Visit Uruguay

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Church in Colonia Building

Uruguay