FAITH! (2014)
Brief summary
Faith is a powerful word, with different meaning to us all. It can provide hope and security, trust and confidence. It helps numerous people through the day, every day. With faith comes conviction. However, with conviction sometimes follows conflict. And conflicts often stem from a lack of understanding. In a perfect world we would all have a mutual acceptance towards each other, regardless of what we know about someone else’s beliefs and opinions. In the meantime, a way to help people embracing a different faith than their own could be to try and educate them.
FAITH! wants to address this by merging two concepts, namely religion and knowledge.
The challenge consists of two parts: to design a place of worship, and a place of information. The idea behind this combination builds on the notion that allowing people of different faiths to come together, and share their thoughts and experiences, could enrich everyone.
The goal is to design a place of worship in London. In addition to the actual place of worship, the design proposal should include a component dedicated to informing and educating people who are interested in knowing more about that specific religion. It is left to the discretion of each participant to choose the faith in question.
Is there a way of using architectural design to awaken someone’s curiosity? Can a place of worship be designed to suit its followers andfunction as a beacon, enticing outsiders to come closer? With curiosity comes wisdom. There are no restrictions on the actual building other than it has to be located within the site boundary. The actual design should benefit everyone- from worshippers of the religion in question to a passer-bys, or someone interested in finding out more about the religion.
With its religious diversity and large population, London is a perfect location for trying to bridge gaps between people of different faiths. The site is located in the King’s Cross development area in the middle of the city. Its central location and an extensive transport interchange make it a convenient destination for all Londoners, and for outside visitors.
Awarded proposals
1st prize - Camley Street Sylvan Chapel by Paul Cohoon
JURY’S COMMENTS: The poetic atmosphere of the presentation combined with a convincing approach, Camley Street Sylvan Chapel offers a reflective and highly enticing space, inviting nature to take to the place of religion. The detailed programming and attentive siting propose a clear vision of spirituality as embedded in the life of this neighbourhood. The meticulous attention to specific architectural moments as well as a perfect mix of built form and landscape enriches the project further. Rather than proposing a bold and provocative idea, Camley Street Sylvan Chapel suggests a subtle yet convincing attitude to the concept of faith as we see it today.
2nd prize - Faith That the Sky Is Not Falling by W. Allen Zimmerman and Marie Wastiau
JURY’S COMMENTS: A beautiful idea and a consistent theme, Faith That the Sky Is Not Falling performs in multiple ways by embracing both the individual and contemplative nature of faith, but also the larger communal aspect of religion. The metaphor between over-world and under-world is intriguing, as is the proximity and the way that the proposal sits on the site. The different levels of interaction and seclusion add to the possibilities for visitors to engage, and the personal sanctuaries ties in neatly with the storyline about self-belief. The appealing aesthetics could even add to the regeneration of the area.
3rd prize - You Are Here by Felicity Barbur and Edward Crooks
JURY’S COMMENTS: An engaging and self-explanatory presentation of an innovative take on worship. By shifting focus from a single belief to all religions, You Are Here addresses faith in a very democratic sense. This is in turn enhanced by allowing the space to transcend into the air for all to experience. The proposal is further solidified by bringing boating culture and the artistic resources of neighbouring school Central St Martins school into the equation.
Honorable mention - Russell’s Teapot by Adam Hewgill and Louise Claeys
JURY’S COMMENTS: By suggesting a place that focuses on asking questions rather than following set directives, Russell’s Teapot is a comforting alternative for those in doubt. The introduction of an alien object turned into a tearoom adds a playful undertone to a serious matter, which offers a welcoming community where focus lies on discussion and contemplation.
Honorable mention - St. Martins Church by Rory Allen and Tony Lees
JURY’S COMMENTS: The concept enacts spirituality at many different scales: from the public realm to the secluded bench, from the church to the classroom. The use of art as a beacon works well, and the clear strategy for a procession towards the entrance along the water is dramatic and shows an understanding of the site. The church interior has been rethought from a formalized space to a casual, inviting one. It is not desacralized to the point of feeling like a school, yet it has the inviting ease of a community center.
Honorable mention - Soaking Prayer In Year 2100 by Simonet Noe
JURY’S COMMENTS: Soaking Prayer In Year 2100 takes the standpoint of world religions as static entities in need of rescue. Paired with a comment on the state of the environment, the approach exposes two contradictory impulses behind thinking about religions in contemporary society. On the one hand religions are seen as fixed, immutable phenomena. But this same immutability threatens their existence. The proposal suggests a Noah’s Ark for religions, saving them just in time before the flood: figuratively and literally.
