Principles & Elements 

The designer of the Atlantida Church in Uruguay, created this church containing many different principles and elements throughout. As seen in the photo above of the front of the church, we can see the use of elements like line, shape, texture but you can actually see all the design elements from just looking at the front. You can also see principles like balance, emphasis, unity and proportion. You can see balance in the front between the 2 sides as well as proportion to the things around it and the use of the space. Another important detail is the unique shapes of the exterior. The curved sides and the different indents almost create a texture besides just the brick.

Connections

When looking at an up close photo of this church we can see lots of different connections. In the example photo above we can see the multiple different ways that brick is connected. He did a very traditional stacking method right on top of one another as well as creating window-like spaces by connecting bricks together and turning them on an angle. This allows for light to be connected with the space inside and also create new patterns to the exterior.

Materials

When looking at the materials we can see that Eladio Dieste chose to use primarily brick and a lighter color of grout. The use of this material was chosen for the look it would create for the exterior of the building as well as they needed a material that was available to create this building and that could create the curved sides without needing a lot of extra work.

Light and Color

When viewing this space from the interior we notice that there are no lights on. When you first enter the space it is dark but slowly as your eyes adjust to the darkness you can see the unique way the light enters the space. The designer intended for there to be these interesting cut outs in the brick that would allow light in. As shown in the photo above we can see how stained glass allows light to enter the space but also adds color to a very neutral building.

Experience

Walking into this church would be a unique experience. At first it would seem dark and possibly cold because of all the brick. However, after being inside for a while, one’s eyes would adjust and the light from the outside world would cast interesting shadows on the walls, ceiling and floor and give hope to a place of contemplation. The wooden benches would provide a place to rest and pray or attend mass. Whether people come to see this space out of interest or to attend a service or program of sorts, they would have a similar experience while also having a unique experience depending on why they are there.

Theories

When considering theories for the Atlantida Church, there are many possibilities that come to mind, one of which is human centered design. When thinking about creating this space for humans to use, you think about an average size person, their footsteps and how tall the ceiling would be. But the things he also considered when designing this church were how far apart the stairs are and how the size of things impacts someone’s experience.

Technology

Although there is little technology that you would see within this space, we can think back to what technology was used to create the building. Considering that the time it was built was the 1960’s they used tools like levels, scaffolding made out of wood, and bricklaying tools. There would have been many hours spent to carefully lay each brick in place. It is interesting to note that the design for the arches and vaults came from Roman architecture.

Finishes

When considering the finishes on the Atlantida church, it has a rough, uneven finish. Each brick would be unique giving an earthly and natural finish. The curvature of the building gives a sense of smoothness even though the brick itself is not smooth. The one other material on the exterior of the building is tiny pieces of stained glass.

Furnishings

Within the Atlantida Church, there is very little in the way of furnishings. As seen in the main area (photo above) we can see that they had wooden benches or pews. These would be used for people to sit on during a service. They also used biblical aspects like Jesus on a cross in the front stage. Another aspect that adds to the 1960’s feel of the building is the table and podium. By leaving the furniture and not updating it, almost puts you back into the time period in which the furnishings were made.

Telling Stories

The story behind the area and how the church came to be was based on Atlantida the town. The people of this town are the ones who work at the tourist places in towns surrounding. The name of the church, Church of Cristo Obrero, was given that name meaning, Christ the Worker, because of the town’s people who are hospitality workers. When noting the thought behind the church of Roman inspired architecture, and Eladio Dieste’s idea of how one would experience the space, we can see that each person who inhabits this space will experience a different story. They may learn about the history of the building, how it was built or the intent behind the building.

Other informative websites

The Revolutionary Brick Church That Changed a Village