AD Classics: Holy Cross Church in Chur, Switzerland / Walter Förderer

AD Classics: Holy Cross Church in Chur, Switzerland / Walter Förderer - Windows, StairsAD Classics: Holy Cross Church in Chur, Switzerland / Walter Förderer - BrickAD Classics: Holy Cross Church in Chur, Switzerland / Walter Förderer - Image 4 of 12AD Classics: Holy Cross Church in Chur, Switzerland / Walter Förderer - Windows, FacadeAD Classics: Holy Cross Church in Chur, Switzerland / Walter Förderer - More Images+ 7

Text description provided by the architects. Standing at the foot of the Alps is the highly contemporary Holy Cross Church in Chur, Switzerland. Designed by Basel born Swiss architect Walter Förderer, the church evokes strong features of Brutalism.

AD Classics: Holy Cross Church in Chur, Switzerland / Walter Förderer - Windows, Facade
© Wikimedia user: Sebastian F

Built between 1966 to 1969, the church appears like a mass fortress that conveys a symbolic defensive attitude.

AD Classics: Holy Cross Church in Chur, Switzerland / Walter Förderer - Brick, Facade, Concrete
© Wikimedia user: Sebastian F

The polygonal tower at the south west corner of the building is the dominant feature that contains four bells: the trinity bell, the cross bell, the peace bell, and the Marien bell.

AD Classics: Holy Cross Church in Chur, Switzerland / Walter Förderer - Image 9 of 12
© Wikimedia user: Sebastian F

The Roman Catholic Church was assembled through a layered concrete construction, with dominant uneven forms tying in and out of each other. 

AD Classics: Holy Cross Church in Chur, Switzerland / Walter Förderer - Image 4 of 12
© Wikimedia user: Sebastian F

The dark semi-circular interior was built entirely out local concrete and wood materials that contrast with each other creating a powerful sacred space.

More interestingly, are the numerous visible details of the structure and materials, such as the wood textured concrete, the pews locking into the concrete face, and the integration of the handrails into the composition.

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Address:Chur, Switzerland

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: Brian Pagnotta. "AD Classics: Holy Cross Church in Chur, Switzerland / Walter Förderer" 09 May 2012. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/232766/ad-classics-holy-cross-church-in-chur-switzerland-walter-forderer> ISSN 0719-8884

© Wikimedia user: Sebastian F

AD经典: 瑞士库尔,圣十字教堂 / Walter Förderer

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