General information
Name of project: Lagares Church
Architecture office: FCC Arquitectura
Office website: www.fc-arquitectura.com
E-mail: atelierdearquitectura@yahoo.com
Office Instagram: www.instagram.com/fcc_arquitectura
Year of project completion: 2003
Year of beginning of works: 2005
Year of completion of works: 2019
Total construction area: 1614,20m²
Implantation area: 1015,65m²
Land area: 3761.00m²
Location of project: Lagares, Felgueiras, PORTUGAL
Media
Photographic credits: Fernando Guerra | FG + SG |
Photographer Website: Fernando Guerra | FG + SG |
Instagram Photographer Profile: www.instagram.com/fernandogguerra
Additional Credits
Responsible 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
Project description
Designing a church seems to us to be an ideal instrument in searching for a symbolic, mystical and expressive dimension. As History has taught us, the alliance between art and religion offers mankind unique, magical and exalting moments that enrich life, mind and soul.
The church, as a material construction and human representation of the Divine, plays a very important role in the development of sensibility. 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 first impressions and ideas emerged in the first visit to the field. The traits and forms were cleared, supported by symbols that seemed important, expressive and appropriate to our intentions. The curved line was imposed from the beginning, as a gesture and as a form associated with reception and protection.
The shape of the fish, such a strong image for the Catholic religion and symbol of Jesus Christ the Savior.
The drop, the water. Symbol of purification and blessing, it is associated with the ritual of initiation in the Christian life (baptism).
The conventional tracing, scheme of the axial plant so characteristic of classic Christian churches. The curved shape like the head of the church that is your body.
The streets that border the terrain have steep slopes. The church sits on an intermediate platform.
Two curving walls, almost completely loose from the ground, direct people to the main entrance of the church. The layout of these walls was conditioned by key landmarks inside the building: they will pass over the baptistery, the tabernacle, and the altar, thus forming the directives of space.
Manufacturers / Products
Manufacturer Product / Code Name
Technal Double glazing in aluminum system
Cin Vinyl Mate – white color
Felpedras Exterior finish in granite and marble in the interior
José Leite General carpentry, floors, benches and doors
Roca Ceramic parts and ceramic flooring
Viero Cappotto system
Luís Teixeira Vieira, Lda General Contractor
Justification of use of materials
This project drew on carefully selected materials fit for the intended purpose, focused on quality and functionality, but also longevity, and on highlighting the full potential of the spaces over time.
All the material composition of textures and colors portray harmonious integration, which translates into comfortable and classic aesthetics.
