Community Church Knarvik, Reiulf Ramstad Architects, Oslo, Norway
"That we are finding new ways to use wood, after millennia of doing so—from the cedar of Solomon’s temple through the thousands of churches constructed across the world, right up to the present day ... this is utterly remarkable and deserves recognition." David Teravagimov, Head of Marketing, Architecture Masterprize, Los Angeles, CA
3 Church Projects That Drove Home the Architecture Masterprize
- Suvela Chapel: Architect: Iida Hedberg, OOPEAA, Helsinki, Finland
- Autobahn Church: Michael Schumacher, Schneider + Schumacher, Frankfurt, Germany
- Knarvik’s Community Church: Reiulf Ramstad Architects, Oslo, Norway
The Architecture Masterprize (AMP) was created as the sister initiative of the International Design Awards (IDA) based in Los Angeles, an awards program celebrating smart and sustainable multidisciplinary design since 2007. Since its inception the Architecture Masterprize has grown rapidly, attracting significant global interest. Winners range from the largest of architectural firms to the smallest of projects submitted by students. The breadth of awards means there is a category for every project.
David Teravagimov, head of marketing for AMP, talked with Church.Design about the organization and some stunning church structures that fared well in the 2018 competition, with winners unveiled in 2019.
Church Design: Explain why timber is so important in architecture today—especially churches?
David Teravagimov: Timber, used as a building material since the very first constructions, has always been a crucial component of church architecture. In recent years, technology has increased the scenarios in which wood becomes a viable material option. Engineered wood, such as cross-laminated timber, is not only a strong and robust material, but it is often more aesthetically pleasing than concrete and steel—and with a fraction of the environmental footprint, for example. The history of wood-use in church architecture is another powerful reason to continue with the use of timber—not just for the structure, but also for the decorative features.
Engineered wood, such as cross-laminated timber, is not only a strong and robust material, but it is often more aesthetically pleasing than concrete and steel—and with a fraction of the environmental footprint....
C.D: How does the company honor architecture that uses timber?
DT: The Architecture Masterprize has over 40 sub-categories for entrants, within three major categories: Architectural Design, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture. Winners who have used timber in their designs are spread across these categories. For example, we have had entrants who submitted tall buildings made of wood, modern interpretations of wooden barns, bamboo structures, schools, cottages, teahouses, even a chicken coop, all of which have a significant timber component. This variety of designs using wood is breathtaking and our jurors agree, with all of the above winning awards.
C.D: Tell us about some of the church structures and chapels that are among this year's winners--and what makes them so?
DT: In the four years of the Architecture Masterprize, we have had many church and chapel entries and winners. All the winners can be found on our website, but here we present three that include considerable and wonderful timber use in their design.
Marc Goodwin Marc Goodwin/Archmospheres & Arcaid
Suvela Chapel, OOPEAA architect; Espoo, Finland
Suvela Chapel in Finland is a hybrid structure, with wooden as well as concrete and steel elements. The exterior is clad in copper and the interior of the tall chapel hall is beautifully covered in wooden scantlings.
Suvela Chapel interior
The Autobahn church in Wilnsdorf, Germany, is a timber-framed construction, with laminated timber used for the towers and roof structure. The filigree wooden vaulting displays a finely-worked cross-ribbed structure. The inner dome consists of 66 vertical and horizontal semi-circular timber structural ribs, made up of 650 individual parts. These timber ribs are slotted into each other and secured in the slits cut into the panels, so the structure has not only rigidity but is also self-supporting.
Autobahn Church Siegerland/Schneider + Schumacher; Wilnsdorf, Germany
Norway has a long tradition of timber churches, with some still surviving from the medieval period. [Its] Knarvik’s Community Church is a modern design, harmoniously fitting into both the landscape and the community. The use of timber in this structure is ... practical, inspiring and beautiful.
C.D: What are the details for your upcoming awards?
DT: This is the fourth year we have held the Architecture Masterprize. Submissions for our 2019 competition are now closed and the difficult job of selecting our winners is currently underway. This year promises to be the best yet, with some truly fantastic designs entered into the competition and we are very much looking forward to seeing which are awarded by our expert jury. We will be holding a Winners’ Gala in the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao to celebrate our 2018 and 2019 winners. We are also already looking ahead to the 2020 Architecture Masterprize.
Autobahn Church exterior
C.D: How can church architects submit their work and what are the qualifications?
DT: The best way for church architects to submit their work is to head to our website and follow the submission guidelines shared there (https://idesignawards.com/). Although the 2019 competition is now closed to submissions, when the 2020 competition is opened the instructions are easy to follow.
Potential entrants should also sign up for our newsletter, which can also be done through our site, as they will then be informed as to when submissions are open. The important thing is for architects to carefully consider which sub-category to enter their project into—although some projects could even be entered into more than one. The only qualifications needed are a project that the architect or designer is proud of, something no older than five years (it can also be a project at the design stage)—something they wish to share with the world.
The only qualifications needed are a project that the architect or designer is proud of, something no older than five years (it can also be a project at the design stage)—something they wish to share with the world.
C.D: Why is it important to honor those using timber?
DT: In architecture, environmental and ecological concerns are increasingly important. Timber, sustainably sourced, such as cross-laminated timber, not only fits these concerns but is often cheaper and more aesthetically pleasing than the alternatives. That we are finding new ways to use wood, after millennia of doing so—from the cedar of Solomon’s temple through the thousands of churches constructed across the world, right up to the present day, for example—this is utterly remarkable and deserves recognition.
