These charming church designs demonstrate that modern architecture has significantly changed the size and shape of our religious institutions. In the past, churches were designed to be imposing structures with stunning architectural details. However, contemporary churches have largely moved away from this singular construction model.
One of the major changes in church architecture is the size of the structures being build. Due to the constraints of modern living, many chapels feature small and minimalist designs that allow them to fit into urban spaces. Some of these charming chapel designs include circular hidden sanctuaries, convenience store churches and mobile wedding chapels.
Aside from changes in size, many modern churches also feature unexpected architectural details. While traditional chapels feature uniform designs, these modern structures boast unorthodox architecture. Some of these unique chapel designs include nature-integrated churches, translucent steel sanctuaries and prismatic wedding chapels.
25 Charming Chapel Designs
From Circular Hidden Sanctuaries to Translucent Steel Churches:
Katherine Pendrill — Sep 18, 2015 — Art & Design
25
Cavernous Hand-Carved Chapels
This Quaint Hiroshima Chapel by Nikken Space Design was Handmade
24
Transparent Chapel Architecture
This Modern Chapel is Designed With Minimalism in Mind
23
Hand-Carved Cave Cathedrals
Sculptor Ra Paulette Transforms Natural Settings into Works of Art
22
Captivating Contemporary Churches
The Light of Life Chapel is an Epic Tribute to Modern Design
21
Mobile Wedding Chapels
This Portable and Affordable Wedding Venue is Cost and Space-Effective
20
Circular Hidden Santuaries
The Cuernavaca Ecumenical Chapel by BNKR Arquitectura is a True Haven
19
Angular Superhero Churches
This Roadside Church Channels a Batman-Inspired Design
18
Swelling Rooftop Churches
The St. Barnabas Church in Sydney Has an Undulating Top Half
17
Curved Contemporary Chapels
St. Henry's Ecumenical Art Chapel is a Modern Worship Space
16
Massive Modern Sanctuaries
The Neulsam Church Embodies Contemporary Design as a Concrete Monolith
15
Translucent Steel Churches
This Belgian Steel Church is a Public Piece of Art Made of Many Layers
14
Nature-Integrated Chapels
The Mik-a-el Chapel is One with the Environment
13
Elegantly Restrained Churches
Elsa Urquijo Architects Builds a White-Washed Church in Spain
12
Prismatic Wedding Chapels
This Stunning Rainbow Chapel is in the Shanghai Museum of Glass
11
Neoclassical Crimson Chapels
The Stedelijk Museum Schiedam Has Been Outfitted with a New Entrance
10
Church Rooftop Viewing Platforms
Amsterdam's Oude Kerk Gets a Viewing Platform for Summer 2015
9
Veil-Inspired Chapels
This Japanese Chapel is a Heavenly Spiritual Space
8
Convenience Store Chapels
During Pride Week in Sweden, 7-Eleven Turned into a Unique Wedding Venue
7
Evocative Whiteout Chapels
The New Bishop Edward King Chapel is Hauntingly Beautiful and Bright
6
Towable Wedding Chapels
The Tiny Chapel is a Towable Structure You Can Tie the Knot In
5
Organic Garden Chapels
The Nanjing Wanjing Garden Chapel Features a Butterfly Roof
4
Curvaceously Stripped Churches
The Ribbon Chapel by Hiroshi Nakamura is Modern and Minimalist
3
Tree-Made Churches
This Tree Church is Placed in a Three-Acre Secluded Botanical Garden
2
Revitalized Austrian Chapels
HPSA Merges Office Space and Cultural Education with a Church
1
Monochrome Church Facades
JR's Inside Out Project Now Includes a Mural-Covered Church
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Welcomingly Worshiping Nudist Churches
White Tail Chapel Wants you to Come Just as God Made you
Cavernous Hand-Carved Chapels
This Quaint Hiroshima Chapel by Nikken Space Design was Handmade
3D Illusion Bird Murals
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Retro Pop Weddings
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Personalized Wedding Figurines
Mariage Poupée Makes 3D-Printed Personalized Wedding Toppers
Translucent Corrugated Structures
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Whimsical Wire Sculptures
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Comical City Street Art
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Maison Fabrizzi is an Impressive Residence in the Swiss Alps
Hand-Carved Cave Cathedrals
Sculptor Ra Paulette Transforms Natural Settings into Works of Art
Former Church Offices
This Converted Office Space Used to be a Church
Leafy Healing Retreats
This Cancer Support Center in the UK Features Tree House Architecture
Explosive 3D Street Art
This Mural Gets Three Dimensional with a Tank Jumping Out of a Wall
Eco-Friendly Medical Centers
The Seijo Kinoshita Hospital by Kengo Kuma is a Green Hospital
Blackened Timber Retreats
This Single-Story Holiday Home Features Three Separate Volumes
Luxurious Italian Diner Interiors
This Chic Restaurant in Amsterdam Blends Old and New World Charm
Deep Overhanging Structures
The Jarson Residence by Will Bruder + Partners is Rugged
Invisible Medium Photography
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Medieval Church Cafes
This Amsterdam Cafe is Located Within the City's Oldest Building
Religiously Banned Kissing Photography
Trialogo by Gonzalo Orquin Captures Gay Couples in Churches
Sustainably Monolithic Museums
Museo Maya de América is the Largest Museum in Central America
Captivating Contemporary Churches
The Light of Life Chapel is an Epic Tribute to Modern Design
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This Amsterdam Airport Boasts a Respectful Landscape Designs
Traditional Tokyo Residence
The Jet House by Sabaoarch Connects Its Inhabitants with Nature
Photorealistic Celebrity Graffiti
Adam Klodzinski Creates Graffiti Influenced by Pop Culture
Mobile Wedding Chapels
This Portable and Affordable Wedding Venue is Cost and Space-Effective
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Cantilevered Wooden Houses
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Circular Hidden Santuaries
The Cuernavaca Ecumenical Chapel by BNKR Arquitectura is a True Haven
Angular Superhero Churches
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Swelling Rooftop Churches
The St. Barnabas Church in Sydney Has an Undulating Top Half
Socially Conscious Wedding Rings
This Jewelry Uses Recycled Materials and Conflict-Free Diamonds
Colorful Taxidermy-Inspired Weddings
This Quirky Animal-Themed Wedding Has Whimsical Decorations
Geometric Industrial Apartments
This Surreal Sculptural Apartment Used to Be a Butter Factory
Curved Contemporary Chapels
St. Henry's Ecumenical Art Chapel is a Modern Worship Space
Massive Modern Sanctuaries
The Neulsam Church Embodies Contemporary Design as a Concrete Monolith
Mine-Converted Museums
Salina Turda Pays Epic Tribute to Salt Mining in Romania
Angular Woodwork Eateries
Montreal's Kinoya Restaurant Boasts Complex and Geometric Elements
Nature-Integrated Chapels
The Mik-a-el Chapel is One with the Environment
Tree-Top Pavilions
The Vietnamese Pavilion by Vo Trong Nghia Takes Inspiration from Nature
Prismatic Wedding Chapels
This Stunning Rainbow Chapel is in the Shanghai Museum of Glass
Vibrant Street-Focused Architecture
Two Firms Come Together to Upgrade the Battersea Power Station
Neoclassical Crimson Chapels
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Veil-Inspired Chapels
This Japanese Chapel is a Heavenly Spiritual Space
Convenience Store Chapels
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Church-Renovated Libraries
The Monique Corriveau Library by CLC Architects is Bright and Airy
Floating Box Pavilions
The Brazilian Pavilion by Be.bo + Mira Takes on a Rectangular Shape
Medieval Modern Museums
The Waterford Medieval Museum Fuses a Modern Exterior with Ancient Ruins
Vibrant Earthquake Photography
Buona Fortuna Documents the Effects of the Irpinia Earthquake
Evocative Whiteout Chapels
The New Bishop Edward King Chapel is Hauntingly Beautiful and Bright
Steel Literary Sculptures
Zheng Lu Creates These Steel Sculptures Containing Chinese Characters
Divine Religious Restaurants
This Restaraunt by Piet Boon Puts Restaurant Goers in Food Heaven
Grocery Bag Light Installations
The Labyrinth of Plastic Waste by Luzinterruptus is Eco-Friendly
Whimsical Sculpture Exhibits
Eric Trine and Will Bryant's Colorful Art Installation is Conceptual
Towable Wedding Chapels
The Tiny Chapel is a Towable Structure You Can Tie the Knot In
Organic Garden Chapels
The Nanjing Wanjing Garden Chapel Features a Butterfly Roof
Curvaceously Stripped Churches
The Ribbon Chapel by Hiroshi Nakamura is Modern and Minimalist
Virtual Wedding Planner Apps
The Hitch Does All the Dirty Work For You and Plans Your Wedding
High Flying Wedding Venues
The Burj Al Arab's Wedding in the Skies is on Its Helicopter Pad
Transparent Diamond-Shaped Structures
Villa Kavel 1 by 'Studioninedots' Exudes Luxury
Audible Travel Billboards
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Cinematic Graffiti Proposals
Henry Barnes Proposed to His Girlfriend With Beauty and the Beast Art
Surprise Aerial Weddings
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Gothic Winery Weddings
This Gothic Wedding Has a Dark and Romantic Theme
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Revitalized Austrian Chapels
HPSA Merges Office Space and Cultural Education with a Church
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