EXIT architects: San José parish centre, a landmark for the neighbourhood.

A parish centre and a church are the two main elements in the project, different and yet sharing a mission for social life.

The church, a symbolic sacred place, an ascetic round white volume which plays with the power of light in combination with a big ceiling formed of wooden strips. A place that draws its power from the simplicity of its shape and materials. The altar and baptistery area is illuminated by lamps in a reference to the light of divine inspiration.

The parish centre establishes a formal contrast with a building of simple volumes, a low brick construction offering spaces for community life and administrative offices.

The choice of brick as privileged material for the project helps the centre fit into its surroundings. The bell tower rising above the surrounding buildings is also made out of brick, ensuring that it is not invasive as brick is the most common construction material in the area.

EXIT architects have created a landmark for the El Casar community, a meeting-place and a place of worship in proportion with its surroundings.


Design: EXIT architects, http://exit-architects.com/
Location: El Casar, Spain
Year: 2006
Photo credits: Courtesy of EXIT architects, http://exit-architects.com/
Related links: Easter Sculpture Museum, http://www.floornature.com/blog/easter-sculpture-museum-hellandiacuten-spain-7937/

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