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Church in Colonia Uruguay : Architecture Information + Images
Church in Colonia - Catholic Church, Uruguay 2006 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. 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. 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. Church in Colonia Uruguay images / information from Lambrechts Bertinat Arquitectos 110309 South American Buildings Uruguay Airport building Montevideo Architecture Argentina Buildings Architects Practice led by Pablo Lambrechts, Architect World Architecture : e-architect - a guide to key buildings across the globe Comments / photos for the Church in Colonia Uruguay Architecture page welcome: info@e-architect.co.uk Church in Colonia Building : page - adrian welch / isabelle lomholt			Buildings by this architect: Colonia Coast guard Key Links: Brazilian Buildings Architecture Studios Uruguay housing New Houses Church Buildings Uruguay Architecture