Holy-Family-Catholic-Church_Exterior

Holy Family Catholic Church

TYPE

Public Building

YEAR

2010

LOCATION

Wanaka – Holy Family Catholic School

PHOTOS

Graham Warman, Tony Brunt

AWARDS

Winner – Public Architecture Award –  NZIA Southern Architecture Awards 2011

 

Winner – National Award –  Window Association of NZ Awards 2011

    PRESS

The building’s organic form alludes to the mountains that surround it. Solid walls of plastered masonry sweep from the entry, widening to embrace the congregation space before curving inwards and focusing on the semi circular apse containing the altar. The floating leaf form of the roof is inclined towards the altar rises skyward further emphasizing attention in this direction.

 The interior is illuminated by natural lighting that enters through a narrow glazed clerestory ribbon that widens as it progresses towards the sanctuary subtly shifting angles to emphasise focus towards the altar. The ribbon windows each side of the altar offer the faithful a view of the surrounding mountains. The landscape and its changing moods are quietly present as a living backdrop to the service.