Belgian Architects Design and Construct See-Through Church
- Posted on September 26, 2011 at 6:00pm by
Christopher Santarelli
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With scandal, corruption, and failure spreading across multiple levels of organized society, many have looked to apply “transparency” to some of the world’s oldest institutions. The Beligian architectural duo known as Gijs Van Vaerenbergh have taken this concept and applied it to the design and construction of this see through church in Belgian region of Haspengouw:
Digital Trends writes that the ten meter steel structure is part of a long-term project with the z33 House for Contemporary Art that will spread to different locations of the Netherlands over the next five years:
“According to the architects, the amount of people attending churches is on the decline, particularly in the Netherlands, with increasing amounts of abandoned churches which is an issue of concern among several artists. With this in mind, the architects in cooperation with Z33 named this project ‘Reading Between the Lines’- which implies a perceived, obscure, or unexpressed meaning.”
According to Dezeen, the design of the church is based on the architecture of the many churches in the region, but through the use of horizontal plates, the concept of the traditional church is transformed into a transparent object of art.
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cdcats8
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 10:04pmYou should visit Thorn Crown Chapel in Eureka Springs, AR. It was designed by E. Fay Jones and is visited by thousands. Many weddings have been held in the beautiful structure.
Report Post »mikonty
Posted on October 4, 2011 at 7:15pmE. Fay Jones is an amazing architect, a professor at the University of Arkansas, he also worked with Frank Lloyd Wright when he was young. My wife and I found two of his chapels in Northern Arkansas in the early 90′s and they are simply amazing! I‘m an artist and I’ve have painted the Thorncrown in Eureka Springs, AR, several times, The Myrtle B. Cooper in Bella Vista, AR, and the Marjorie Powell Allen Chapel at Powell Gardens MO. I‘ve heard of a couple more but I’ve not seen them. They are all worth seeing if you ever get the chance.
Report Post »standby
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 9:39pmWith all that is evil, infecting the earth at this time in history, I applaud thinking that may just inspire humans to stop and take a breath of peaceful air; “smell the roses”……….for just a moment.
Report Post »I just did. My compliments to Gijs Van Vaerenbergh. Now, back to reloading!
sURFNmADNESS
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 9:37pmBetter looking see through church and much larger in Nebraska between Lincoln and Omaha on I-80.
http://www.holyfamilyshrineproject.com/
Report Post »izzy1127
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 7:19pmThere’s a great movie called “Oscar and Lucinda” from ‘97 where they built a church of glass. Not sure how much of it was actually done in the movie but it was beautiful. That’s the first thing I thought of when I saw this pic.
Report Post »schroeder123
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 7:00pmOnly a true ARTIST can make a statement like this. Going to the edge of common sense…breaking the thought of conformity… and finally we have the most logical, and practical way to pray. A sanctuary for peace and wind…a little on the chilli side you might say… BUT the heart and the warmth of the spirit will keep you.
Report Post »Tell me ? … is there a heater in there ?
Ialmostforgot
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 6:21pmIts got to be hard to heat in the winter.
Report Post »Dismayed Veteran
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 4:19pmThere is a beautiful see-through church building between Omaha and Lincoln, NE just of I-80. Much more impressive.
Report Post »mikonty
Posted on October 4, 2011 at 7:46pmI believe that the Omaha chapel you mentioned is also a chapel designed my E. Fay Jones. Besides the 3 chapels I mentioned above he also designed another chapel in Ft. Worth TX.
Report Post »ipockpa
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 1:43pmBeautiful
Report Post »ThankBabyJesus
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 11:54amReally cool
Report Post »Rapunzel
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 11:28amIt looks like it was made with giant popsicle sticks!
Report Post »Mister July
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 10:18amActually looks more like a hermitage, shrine, or very small chapel… Still nice.
Report Post »shirtsbyeric
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 10:12amI’ll eventually be a Mosque.
Report Post »Magyar
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 9:58amStrictly from a creative point of view–it’s AWESOME– But remember “church” is a metaphor for worshipers of Christ LORD. The edifice has little importance—but neverthless this edifice is way cool!
Report Post »christos
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 9:57am…….Surely +GOD+ is smiling at this church,super architects great idea…
Report Post »Codger
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 8:17amYou don’t need to go all the way to Belgium to see a church like this. There’s one near Eureka Springs, Arkansas too. And I think it’s actually nicer.
http://www.thorncrown.com/
Report Post »ThoreauHD
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 8:27amThat is nice looking.
Report Post »STANDUPorSHUTUP
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 9:02amThat one’s great, thanks!
Report Post »Junter
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 12:03pmNice! thanks for the link.
Report Post »Brizz
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 12:40pmBoth are awesome!
Report Post »ipockpa
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 1:44pmIt is better and functional too!
Report Post »WatchOutForTheRINOShills
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 1:51pmThat’s where I got married almost 30 years ago. It was VERY pretty and special. Like being in the woods and communing with God / nature…Great place to stop, meditate, and enjoy if you ever get to Northwest Arkansas – Eureka Springs…Loved it!
Report Post »Tom K
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 2:55pm@CODGER: Was there several years ago and the Thorn Crown Chapel is remarkable, lovely and peaceful. We also enjoyed the “ Passion Play ”, an amazing production about Jesus’ last days on His earth.
Report Post »SuttonShimai
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 3:31pmBeautiful!
Report Post »ohmy
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 7:36amThis “open” church reminds me of the Crystal Cathedral in CA. Visiting there was a beautiful experience.
Report Post »jxgrab
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 7:03amWait till winter and spray it with water, instant ice castle.
Report Post »Baikonur
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 6:12amReally lovely.
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 7:19amDon’t use the bathroom
Report Post »Carl McPherson
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 2:37amI pray that it brings attention to the fact that Church is not a building.
Report Post »The Church is the collective group of people on the entire planet that have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior.
Be it in a field, in a cave, in a prison, or yes.. even in a building with a cross on the top.
Unfortunately as many know the perversion of the world continues to twist the original message and truth. Now Church means a building. In some religions it means ENORMOUS buildings with gold and statues to pray to (another thing directly against the Bible), rows of candles to light and pray to dead people (another thing directly against the Bible)… I have dozens of these things that people have warped in the name of “Church”.
Just give me a Bible and a few people that are honest enough to speak the truth and I’m as happy as a clam. Now let’s go out and change the world.
KevStutzCanDo
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 7:15amAmen Carl, Truth be told!
Report Post »golflover1
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 9:38amBeing Anti-Catholic is not being a Christian. Jesus Christ started the Catholic Church and those “dead people” are Jesus’ Disciples and Apostles.
Report Post »bornagaincowgirl
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 2:38pmAmen Carl. The Church is to be transparent, let the light and glory of God shine through us, as a sea of glass. Its not about us, its about Him (lord knows, the world don’t need more of me or us, but it does need more of the Lord–let His Light shine).
Report Post »Kaoscontrol
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 2:29amStrictly (and biblically) speaking, the “Church” is not the building, rather it is the believers who have a relationship with God… But as a ‘house of worship’ where the ‘Church’ can gather together and lift up the Lord in worship corporately, this is a pretty cool place. It‘s almost as transparent as Robert Schuller’s Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove California, but without all the debt.
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 1:39amBring your own umbrella and heater if needed! Neat chapel!!
Report Post »rpp
Posted on September 26, 2011 at 11:55pmI am no art lover, but I am a faithful Christian. I find this church, chapel really as it is so small, beautiful. If it gets someone to stop to look and perhaps give some thought to what it really symbolizes, that is a good thing.
Report Post »katy
Posted on September 26, 2011 at 11:35pmI don’t care what it looks like….a church in “Belgium” is a rare and much needed thing….
Report Post »threedoor
Posted on September 26, 2011 at 11:34pmFrom a distance it looks like a stack of pallets but I like it
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