Church of Lagares, Felgueiras

The design of a church appears to us as the ideal pursuit for a symbolic, mystical, and expressive dimension. As history has taught us, the alliance between art and religion provides unique, magical, and exalting moments for humanity, enriching life, mind, and soul.

The church, a tangible construction, a human representation of the Divine, plays a crucial role in the development of sensitivity. For believers and non-believers alike, it should be considered a living symbol, conveying a transcendent meaning that encourages us to look beyond what we see, urging us to pause and feel.

The initial sensations and ideas emerged during the first visit to the site. The lines and forms refined themselves, supported by symbols that seemed important, expressive, and fitting for our intentions. The curved line asserted itself from the beginning, both as a gesture and as a form associated with hospitality and protection.

The form of a fish, a powerful image in the Catholic religion and a symbol of Jesus Christ the Savior.

The droplet, the water. A symbol of purification and blessing, associated with the ritual of initiation into Christian life (baptism).

The conventional layout, the axial plan characteristic of classical Christian churches. The curved form as the head of the church, representing its body.

The streets bordering the site have quite steep slopes. The church is situated on an intermediate-level platform. Two curved walls, almost entirely detached from the ground, guide people towards the main entrance of the church. The layout of these walls was influenced by the significant spaces inside the building: they pass over the baptistry, the tabernacle, and the altar, thus forming the guidelines for the space.

Justification for the use of materials

The materials used in this project were carefully selected to align with the intended concept, ensuring quality and functionality, as well as longevity to enhance the full potential of the spaces over time. The material composition of textures and colors suggests a harmonious integration, resulting in an aesthetically comfortable and classic environment.

Architecture Studio:

FCC Arquitectura

Atelier's website:

www.fc-arquitectura.com

Year of project completion:

2003

Year construction began:

2005

Year of completion:

2019

Total construction area:

1614,20m²

Deployment area:

1015,65m²

Land area:

3761,00m²

Project location:

Lagares, Felgueiras, Portugal

Photo credits:

Fernando Guerra | FG + SG |

Photographer's website:

Fernando Guerra | FG + SG |

Photographer's Instagram profile:

www.instagram.com/fernandogguerra

Responsible architects:

Fernando Coelho, Ana Loureiro

Project team:

Fernando Coelho, Ana Loureiro, Sérgio Silva, Luís Vieira, Diana Teixeira

Customers:

Lagares Parish Church Factory

Engineering:

Paulo Oliveira

Sculptor:

Paulo Neves

Manufacturers / Products:

Technal - Double-glazed aluminum frame system
Cin Vinyl Matte – white color
Felpedras - Exterior cladding in granite and interior in marble
José Leite - General carpentry, floors, benches, and doors
Roca - Ceramic pieces and ceramic floors
Luís Teixeira Vieira, Lda - General Contractor