San Giacomo Church in Ferrara, Italy by Miralles Tagliabue EMBT

Article source: Miralles Tagliabue EMBT

The Parish complex of San Giacomo is proposed as a catalyst for the area in which it is introduced, creating a new fulcrum that is capable of creating identity within the local community by promo-ting socialization, education and interaction. The building is de­signed to have a welcoming presence that is open to the people, doing so through the use of lightweight organic architecture that contrasts with the robust and compact materiality of the histori­cally important preexisting Ferrara.

Image Courtesy © Miralles Tagliabue EMBT

• Architects: Miralles Tagliabue EMBT
• Project: San Giacomo Church
• Location: Ferrara, Italy
• Artist: EnzoCucchi
• Liturgist: Vincenzo Gatti
• Project Director: Joan Callis
• Project Team: Gabriele Rotelli, Katrina Variany Valentina Noris
• Collaborators: AgustinaMascetti, AngelosSiampakoulis, Bárbara RuschelLorenzoni, Cj Rogers, Ernesto Lopez, Guido AybarMaino, Grant Mc Cormick, Gonzalo Peña, Irene Botas Cal, Jiyoun Park, Lauren Lochry, Lorenzo Trucato, Marta Ruiz Benito, Oscar Lopez.

Image Courtesy © Miralles Tagliabue EMBT

The slim profiles of subtle trees encloses the area, creating an intimate and familiar environment where the building controls the scene with sculptural forms while maintaining a dialogue with the surrounding nature by using a formal language inspired by it. Ex-emplified by the design of a large square in front of the church, there is a natural extension and a grouping that leads to sociability where the place of congregation and its union with the broadening space of the church opens up to the city.

Image Courtesy © Miralles Tagliabue EMBT

The building is positioned in both a visual and spiritual axis with the new bridge and the city beyond the river, but access is achieved via two lateral axes that join the design of the square to the church, acting as two arms open to the community.
The floor design continues laterally, connecting the square to a series of annexed structures that provide educational and recrea­tional services for the community. In addition to new secondary spaces close to the school, the parish complex also maintains a formal dialogue.
A bell tower at the South end notes the presence of the building, protected by a green curtain of trees, becoming a point of reference while emphasizing everyday life and its rituals.

Image Courtesy © Miralles Tagliabue EMBT

Image Courtesy © Miralles Tagliabue EMBT

Image Courtesy © Miralles Tagliabue EMBT

Image Courtesy © Miralles Tagliabue EMBT

Image Courtesy © Miralles Tagliabue EMBT

Image Courtesy © Miralles Tagliabue EMBT

Image Courtesy © Miralles Tagliabue EMBT

Image Courtesy © Miralles Tagliabue EMBT

Image Courtesy © Miralles Tagliabue EMBT

Image Courtesy © Miralles Tagliabue EMBT

Image Courtesy © Miralles Tagliabue EMBT

Tags: Ferrara, Italy

Category: Church

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