Week 13: Three Contemporary Churches

In response to the Jubilee Year 2000, the diocese of Rome initiated a program to build 50 new churches in the outlying neighborhoods of Rome as community centers. As a class we visited three of the more architecturally significant churches.

The first church we visited was the Jubilee Church by Richard Meier and Partners. Like all Meier buildings, it makes and extensive use of the color white, and uses three concentric shells to represent the trinity and to reflect light into the nave.  

The second church we visited was San Carlo Borromeo, by Monestiroli Achitetti Associati. This church made more use of natural materials, and a massive bell tower brought light into the space occupied by the altar. The church also had side chapels, a feature rarely seen on contemporary churches.

Our final church was San Pio da Pietrelcina by Alessandro Anselmi. The organic and dynamic exterior leads into a very regular, light filled space on the inside.
posted by Daniel Gilheney + Leith Almashal