Ahead of the groundbreaking this weekend, a new video and renderings have been revealed for Santiago Calatrava‘s church near Ground Zero, which will overlook the 9/11 Memorial. The new St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church will be constructed of white Vermont marble, inspired by a mosaic of the Madonna and Child Enthroned at the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
In addition to being an architect, Calatrava is a painter, sculptor, and furniture designer. His creative, visual arts side is clearly demonstrated in the new renderings, as the church will take a very innovative, geometric form. Calatrava is also responsible for the controversial World Trade Center Transit Hub.
The church will sit on the former site of the Deutsche Bank Building, destroyed during the 9/11 attacks. It will have spaces on its façade that filter light inside during the day and provide a glowing appearance at night. Calatrava hopes the completed project will be a “very ecumenical place” and open to the public 24 hours. It’s expected to be completed in 2016 or early 2017. See more rendering views in the video below, produced by the architect’s firm.
[Via WSJ]
Renderings via Santiago Calatrava
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- Entrance
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- Church interior
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- Church interior
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- Church interior
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- The dome
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- The mosaic in the Hagia Sophia that inspired the design
Tags : Ground Zero church, Santiago Calatrava, St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, starchitecture, World Trade Center
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