Belgian architects Pieterjan Gijs and Arnout Van Vaerenbergh have completed a see-through church in Limburg, Belgium.
The ten metre-high church is constructed from 100 stacked layers of weathered steel plates.
Gaps between these plates allow visitors to see through the walls.
With its pointed spire, the building imitates the form of traditional churches in the region.
Entitled Reading between the Lines, the project forms part of the Z-OUT programme coordinated by the Z33 gallery, which aims to bring art into public space.
Gijs Van Vaerenbergh were also responsible for creating an upside dome inside an existing church in Leuven - see our earlier story here.
Photography is by Kristof Vrancken.
Here are some more details from Gijs Van Vaerenbergh:
Gijs Van Vaerenbergh makes church sculpture as part of art in public space project
Gijs Van Vaerenbergh, a collaboration between young Belgian architects Pieterjan Gijs and Arnout Van Vaerenbergh, have built a see-through church in the Belgian region of Haspengouw. The church is a part of the Z-OUT project of Z33, house for contemporary art based in Hasselt, Belgium. Z-OUT is an ambitious long-term art in public space project that will be realised on different locations in the Flemish region of Limburg over the next five years.
The church is 10 meters high and is made of 100 layers and 2000 columns of steel. Depending on the perspective of the viewer, the church is either perceived as a massive building or seems to dissolve - partly or entirely - in the landscape. On the other hand, looking at the landscape from within the church, the surrounding countryside is redefined by abstract lines.
The design of the church is based on the architecture of the multitude of churches in the region, but through the use of horizontal plates, the concept of the traditional church is transformed into a transparent object of art.
The project is called 'Reading between the Lines' and is a project by the duo Gijs Van Vaerenbergh, a collaboration between young Belgian architects Pieterjan Gijs (Leuven, 1983) and Arnout Van Vaerenbergh (Leuven, 1983).Since 2007, they have been realizing projects in the public space that derive from their architectural background, but clearly display an artistic intention. As such, their projects do not always originate from the customary commission and carry a large degree of autonomy. Their primary concerns are experiment, reflection, a physical involvement with the end result and the input of the viewer.
I like it. It looks like a mirage :D
If it can be imagined, it can be built. Nowadays. This one looks better than most of postmodernism's epistemological legacy.
Great depth and meaning……..conceptually strong………..very beautiful……….I want to experience it!
That is just plain gorgeous…
I hope this doesn't go the same way as the Croatia pavillion in Venice…
It's beautiful (last picture especially), but in terms of function – where are the pews? where is the altar? I would like to see photographs of it being used as a church
I have a strong compulsion to kick it.
For an elegant open chapel, see Thorncrown Chapel by E. Fay Jones in Arkansas, USA.
Now THIS is a fine example of postmodernism! I love it when the standard ideas related to architecture are shredded to create something fantastical and gorgeous. I am a great proponent of making art, that evokes thought and emotion, avaiable to the masses. This structure clearly succeeds at that.
I would love to stand in this and watch out at the sunrise/sunset. Conceptually brilliant, brilliant execution. This is fantasy! m/
That would be a nightmare to keep clean.
a hose or rain would do the trick you sourpuss
They should have done more with the position of the vertical elements (the supports). Patterns etc could have been insinuated or outlines of historic church details could have been created. See 2nd last image- a phantom window appears -intentional?
But great to see how light contributes to the building's existence /reality as much as the steel contributes to its form.
Otherwise great concept. Adds fuel to the fire of 'what defines a building'.
I agree that perhaps the 'vertical' elements could have been positioned in a way that offered yet another allegory, but there will always be something…in that regard.
Overall, it made me stop and consider. Much, much more than 99% of other architectural/spatial sculpture projects normally do.
Bravo!
i think it failed in proportions. Churches should look better
That last photo is simply amazing! It looks like it's dissolving. Wonderful piece of work!