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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Ceramic Modern Houses
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Renovated Parisian Flats
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Modern Blue-Accented Academic Buildings
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Heritage Tower Suspensions
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Protein-Inspired Architecture
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Circular Pavilion Design
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Exclusivity-Promoting Sophisticated Interior Designs
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Sophisticated Government Office Designs
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Exeter Road Pavilion Provides a Sheltered Form on Former School Site
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Diplomatic Shaded Designs
The US Consulate General in Nogales Redefines Civic Architecture
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Contemporary Chapel Interiors
Trahan Architects Completes the Chapel of St Ignatius
Hillside Concrete Retreats
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The Court Theatre Anchors Community and Craft Through Architecture
Cantilevered Porous Steel Pavilions
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The Muqarnas Pavilion Shows a Modular Approach to Vaulted Form
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The Bulls Barn House Blends Rustic Form and Modern Living
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The Powerhouse Stadium Blends Heritage with Contemporary Engineering
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Compact Stone Conversions
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