Wanaka Catholic Church
ARCHITECTS
Sarah Scott Architects Ltd
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
Lewis Bradford
DESIGN TEAM
Barry Condon, Sarah Scott
BUILDER
Naylor Love Construction Ltd
PHOTOGRAPHS
Tony Brunt, Karen Dennis
AREA
500.0 sqm
YEAR
2011
LOCATION
Wanaka, New Zealand
CATEGORY
Churches
Text description provided by architect.
The site is located in Wanaka set on a suburban island surrounded by a broad and immediate panorama of the NZ Southern Alps.
The building’s organic form alludes to the mountains that surround it.
Solid walls of masonry dressed in simple plaster sweep from the entry, widening to embrace the congregation before curving inwards and focusing on the semi circular apse containing the altar.
The floating leaf form of the roof inclined towards the altar rises skyward further emphasizing attention in this direction
The interior is illuminated by natural lighting that enters through a narrow glazed clerestory ribbon that widens as it progresses towards the sanctuary subtly shifting angles to emphasise focus towards the altar.
The ribbon windows offer the faithful a view of the surrounding mountains.
The landscape and its changing moods are quietly present as a living backdrop to the service.
Plan
