FCC arquitectura combines two curved walls for church in lagares, portugal

the lagares church by FCC arquitectura sits on an elevated concrete platform, surrounded by two steep-sloped streets in felgueiras, portugal. the project incorporates various symbols in its design, while the curved line as a gesture and as a form associated with reception and protection informs the building’s shape, materialized in two curving walls, almost completely loose from the ground, that guide people to the main entrance of the church. the layout of the walls also directs the design of the building’s interior, passing over to the baptistery, the tabernacle, and the altar.all images by fernando guerra | FG + SG |

‘designing a church seems to us to be an ideal instrument in searching for a symbolic, mystical and expressive dimension,’ explains FCC arquitectura. ‘as history has taught us, the alliance between art and religion offers mankind unique, magical and exalting moments that enrich life, mind and soul.’ in designing the church, the portuguese studio has used symbols that seemed important, expressive and appropriate to its intentions, such as the shape of fish, which is a strong image in catholic religion and symbol of jesus christ the savior, and the drop of water, a symbol of purification and blessing associated with the ritual of initiation in the christian life (baptism).

‘the church, as a material construction and human representation of the divine, plays a very important role in the development of sensibility,’ continues the studio. ‘for believers and lay people, it is a living sign that conveys a transcendent meaning that makes us look beyond what we see, and take time to feel our lives at a deeper level.’

the curved line played an important role in the design of the church from the beginning, defining both its exterior and interior form. the two curved walls that lead people toward the entrance of the building establish themselves as key landmarks as they continue within the interior, shaping the baptistery, the tabernacle, and the altar. carefully selected materials such as granite and marble have been chosen based on quality, functionality and longevity, while all textures and colors portray harmonious integration, which translates into comfortable and classic aesthetics.

project info:

name: lagares church

architect: FCC arquitectura

location of project: lagares, felgueiras, portugal

total construction area: 1614,20 m²

implantation area: 1015,65 m²

land area: 3761.00 m²

lead architects: fernando coelho, ana loureiro

project team: fernando coelho, ana loureiro, sérgio silva, luís vieira, diana teixeira

clients: fábrica da igreja paroquial da freguesia de lagares

engineering: paulo oliveira

sculptor: paulo neves