These examples of contemporary church architecture range from mountainside sanctuaries to minimalist chapels that provide one with a serene space for prayer and meditation. In today's tech and social media driven society, places of religious worship are scarcely over-populated, especially in busy urban centers.
Contemporary church architecture aims to enhance the experience of worshipers and marries tradition and history with modern design details. Standouts from this list include minimalist and angular churches that change the way one looks at a traditional place of worship. Other favorites include converted church projects that transform historical prayer spaces into offices or residential interiors.
Moreover, projects like kaleidoscopic and minimalist churches illustrate the opposing emphasis different cultures put on ornamentation and decor within their places of worship.
65 Examples of Contemporary Church Architecture
64
Church-Based Workplaces
This Historic Church Also Operates as the Imbull Flipit.com Office
63
Revamped Religious Interiors
The Bonney Avenue Residence is a Drastic Reno of an 1867 Church
62
Simple Sloping Sanctuaries
The Skyscape Church is Sleek and Contemporary
61
Chic Victorian Gothic Abodes
The 'Tin Chapel' is an Old Church Transformed Into a Stylish Home
60
Converted Religious Loft Residences
The Westbourne Grove Church by DOS Architects is Open and Airy
59
Undulating Ceiling Chapels
The Prayer Chapel by Gensler Modernizes the Havens
58
Upcycled God Homes
The St. Nicholas Church House is a Remodelled House of the Holy
57
Blessed Gothic Bars
The Spirito Martini Night Club Lets You Party in a Church
56
Sunken Scandinavian Sanctuaries
Vaaler Kirke Church is a New Take on an Old Architectural Language
55
Spikey Seed Sanctuaries
The Rosebud Orthodox Church Burgeons Like a Modern Bulb
54
Curving Concrete Cathedrals
Church of Seed Offers a Place for Worship & Gathering
53
Hand-Carved Cave Cathedrals
Sculptor Ra Paulette Transforms Natural Settings into Works of Art
52
Former Church Offices
This Converted Office Space Used to be a Church
51
Residential Houses of Worship
Ruud Visser Architects Turn a Church into a Home Fit for Four
50
Captivating Contemporary Churches
The Light of Life Chapel is an Epic Tribute to Modern Design
49
Kaleidoscopic Church Makeovers
Hense’s Brilliant Color Installations Revives an Old Church
48
Minimalist Church Designs
The 'St. Moritz Church' is Now Sporting a Glorious Minimalist Design
47
Angular Arboreal Sanctuaries
The Ecumenical Chapel by AOA Architects Branches Out to All
46
Contemporary Church Sanctuaries
The Funeral Chapel by Bayer and Strobel Architekten is Tranquil
45
Captivating Luminous Cathedrals
The Luminarie De Cagna is Blindingly Beautiful
44
Symbolic Sanctuary Architecture
The New Church of Valer References Religion in Form and Concept
43
Circular Hidden Santuaries
The Cuernavaca Ecumenical Chapel by BNKR Arquitectura is a True Haven
42
Shimmering Sacred Sanctuaries
The Iceland Hallgrímskirkja Church Flickers as a Beacon
41
Angular Superhero Churches
This Roadside Church Channels a Batman-Inspired Design
40
Contemporary Sci-Fi Churches
The Chapel at Discovery Bay by Danny Cheng is Futuristic
39
Modern Victorian Lounges
The XO Bar by Jim Clemes Incorporates Baroque Paintings on the Ceiling
38
Curvy Contemporary Cathedrals
The San Josemaria Escriva Church Brings New Shape to Church Design
37
Midas-Touch Church-Toppers
The Arch-Group and Sade Sarl Design a Futuristic Russian Church
36
Curved Contemporary Chapels
St. Henry's Ecumenical Art Chapel is a Modern Worship Space
35
Barn-Inspired Chapels
The Elspeet Church is Constructed From Local Wood Materials
34
Converted Cathedral Homes
The Hudson St by Bagnato Architects is a Repurposed 1892 Anglican Church
33
Massive Modern Sanctuaries
The Neulsam Church Embodies Contemporary Design as a Concrete Monolith
32
Cardboard Churches (UPDATE)
Christchurch's Cardboard Cathedral is Earthquake-Proof
31
Foliage-Floored Worship Centers
The Wow!grass! Living Carpet Graces the York Minster Cathedral
30
Modern Faceted Mausoleums
The Panteon Nube Looks like a Contemporary Ice Cave
29
Holistic Hybrid Architecture
The Church of Sant Francesc Convent Fuses the Traditional and Modern
28
Nature-Integrated Chapels
The Mik-a-el Chapel is One with the Environment
27
Modern Minimalist Prayer Palaces
Alfonso Architects Tampa Covenant Church
26
Industrial Arboreal Churches
Forest Chapel Works Metal Material into Organic Architectural Forms
25
Remixed Chapel Concepts
The Notre Dame Haiti Cathedral Modernizes a Classic Design
24
Cardboard Churches
The 1864 Cathedral in New Zealand Will Be Rebuilt Out of Cardboard
23
Elegantly Restrained Churches
Elsa Urquijo Architects Builds a White-Washed Church in Spain
22
Contemporary Crucifix Facades
The All Saints Chapel Takes the Pure and Symbolic Form of the Cross
21
Neoclassical Crimson Chapels
The Stedelijk Museum Schiedam Has Been Outfitted with a New Entrance
20
Controversial Political Crucifixes
The Thought-Provoking Michael Murphy Sculpture Shocks
19
Church-Renovated Libraries
The Monique Corriveau Library by CLC Architects is Bright and Airy
18
Renovated Holy Houses
Zecc Architects Makes Old Church a Home With a Few Altarations
17
Solemn Pyramid Chapels
The Funeral Chapel by Bayer & Strobel Architekten Boasts Inventive Design
16
Divine Religious Restaurants
This Restaraunt by Piet Boon Puts Restaurant Goers in Food Heaven
15
Kaleidoscopic Church Designs
The Gethsemane Lutheran Church Has a New Vibrant Look
14
Refurbished Church Manors
God's Loft by LKSVDD Architects Boasts Cheeky Religious References
13
Organic Garden Chapels
The Nanjing Wanjing Garden Chapel Features a Butterfly Roof
12
Curvaceously Stripped Churches
The Ribbon Chapel by Hiroshi Nakamura is Modern and Minimalist
11
Renaissance-Inspired Wall Wraps
The Stone Angels Wallpaper is Classy and Religious
10
Symbolic Warped Church Windows
The Church of St. Martin in the Fields Has a New Abstract Design
9
Transparent Sacred Chapels
The Gijs Van Vaerenbergh Church is Steel and See-Through
8
Sustainable Churches
The Kuokkala Church in Finland is a Low-Impact House of Worship
7
Almond-Shaped Wooden Churches
'Kamppi Chapel of Silence' by KS2 Architects is a Serene Escape
6
Inflatable Churches
Transparante Kerk is a Pop-Up Church That is the First of its Kind
5
Sparse Block Churches
Saint Francis Chapel by Rafael Hintersteiner Focuses on Peace and Goodness
4
Revitalized Austrian Chapels
HPSA Merges Office Space and Cultural Education with a Church
3
Church Congregation-Inspired Structures
The Szolnok Reformed Church by SAGRA is Spiritually Simple
2
Sugary Sweet Solarium Designs
This Greenhouse Design is Made from Panels of Caramelized Sugar
1
Monochrome Church Facades
JR's Inside Out Project Now Includes a Mural-Covered Church
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Ultra-Modern Apartment Designs
No Architects Created a Multi-Functional Modern Apartment
Contemporary Woodland Retreats
Michael Kendrick Architects Creates an Immersive & Idyllic Retreat
Futuristic Capsule House Concepts
The ONCO Capsule House Concept is Sleek and Minimal
Cat-Centric Compact Homes
This Japanese Dwelling Embraces Feline-Friendly Design Choices
Cube-Combining Tiny Homes
This Unique Tiny Home Uses Modular Spaces to Enable Flexible Use
Displaced Persons House Designs
The Essential Homes Research Project Has a Bunker-Like Form
Greenery-Sheathed Architecture Offices
This Building Will House the Offices Of 'VTN Architects'
Plant-Filled Latticed Buildings
Wallflower Architecture + Design Creates the Touching Eden House
Floating Meditative Pavilion Designs
The Crystal Lake Pavilion by Marc Thorpe Design is Tranquil
Serenely Stilted Houses
This Sustainable Tiny Home is Situated On An Elevated Platform
Futuristic Auto Micro Factories
Most Architecture Unveils a Modern Factory for Charge Cars
Sustainable German Homes
Atelier Kaiser Shen Design a Sustainable & Clean Home in a German Village
Contemporary Hawaiian Beachfront Houses
Olson Kundig Architects Designs the Hale Napo'o Home
Sustainable Off-Grid Minimal Cabins
Marc Thorpe Presents the Fremont House in New York
Picturesque Family Retreats
Malcolm Davis Architects Adds to This Beautiful Building
Contemporary All-White Homes
BHY Arquitectos Design a Stunning All-White Residence in Argentina
Contemporary Extravagant Houses
Wittehaus Unveils the Gerendák Residence in North Carolina
Arts and Crafts-Inspired Homes
Rural Office Designs the Middle Avenue House in Surrey
Traditional-Style English Homes
Ström Architects Designs the Pines Home in Surrey, England
Minimal Mid-Century Hollywood Homes
Studio Qasabian Designs the Mulholland Home in LA
Incredibly Modern Lakeside Houses
Stephenson Design Collective Converts an Old Boy Scout Camp
Beautifully Sculptural Concrete Museums
Qatar Museums Unveils Official Images of the Lusail Museum
Modern Multi-Purpose Japanese Buildings
Akio Isshiki Architect Overhauls an Old Wooden Building
Stylishly Renovated Apartments
Malfinio Revamps a 19th-Century Building in Prague
Stunning Mid-Century Coastal Homes
Design Theory Updates a House from the 1960s
Contemporary Ski Home Projects
Alfredo Paredes Reimagines the Traditional Ski Chalet
Ultra-Compact Bungalow Designs
Satish Jassal Architects Completes the Haringey Brick Bungalow
Multi-Generational Houses
AUN Design Studio Designs the Reflection House in Bangkok, Thailand
Three-Part Multi-Generational Homes
Nós Designs a Multi-Generational Home in Vermont
Harmonious Modern Beach Houses
Raiz Arquitectura Designs the Casa D31 is São Paulo, Brazil
Silver Curtain Concrete Homes
Local Studio Bangkok Tokyo Architecture Designs the House K
Curved Concrete Hotels
Atelier d’More Transforms a Two-storey Building into a Contemporary Hotel
Textured Contemporary Convents
Mixtura Designs the Convent of the Franciscan Fraternity of Bethany
Contemporary Stable Designs
Wiercinski Studio Designs an Equestrian Center in Rural Poland
Energy-Efficient Office Buildings
This Czech Office Complex is Outfitted With Eco-Friendly Designs
Modern Forest Homes
Bourgeois / Lechasseur Architects Design the Des Forges Residence
Tranquil Contemporary Cabin Retreats
Dominik Ilichman and Adam Hofman Design the Hyatta
Red Brick Music Schools
Colectivo C733's Music School Design is Captivating and Stunning
Chapel-Like Design Studios
Neal Schwartz Designs His Studio as an Extension of His Home
Chic Modern-Industrial Buildings
YN Studio Designs a Slick Facade in Gillett Square
Traditionally Formed Gabled Homes
Studio Circle Growth Designs the Casa De Mi Luna
Snow Mountain Minimal Homes
Design Over The Norms Creates the Blissful Snowfall House
High Concrete Walled Homes
Cesar Mancillas Creates a Linear Home with Tranquil Elements
Temple-Inspired Idyllic Homes
Schemata Architects Designs the New K Residence Overlooking the Sea
Open-Plan Natural Material Houses
Architecture for London Designs the New Primrose Hill House
Modern-Updated Traditional Homes
KiKi ARCHi Designs the Skip House in the Middle of Beijing
Modernist Reconfigured Belgian Homes
ISM Architecten Adds a New Roof to the BEEV Home
Wavy Metal Facades
SO-IL's 9 Chapel Residential Tower Offers a Istinctive Architectural Vision
Bamboo-Inspired Cultural Buildings
This Cultural Center Seamlessly Blends Into its Surroundings
Traditional Japan-Honoring Homes
Cubo Design Architects Designs the C4L House in Tokyo
Monolithic Concrete-Clad Pavilions
Alberto Campo Baeza Collaborated with Miguel Quismondo
Locally-Sourced Home Decor Series
Monolith Unveils its Sanctuary Collection Made from Stone & Wood
Subterranean Courtyard Galleries
Buzz Designs the Hermit Space Yards in Beijing Park
Minimal Philosophy Toronto Homes
Burdifilek Designs the Sleek Forest Hill Residence
Landscape-Concealed Cultural Centers
The Chaohu Natural and Cultural Centre Boasts a Hidden Design
Contemporary Wooden Blue Cabins
Markéta Cajthamlová Designs the Wooden Cabin in the Mountains
Community-Centric Office Spaces
Shubin Donaldson Architects Designs the Tricon Residential Office
Monolithic Metal-Formed Homes
Boyd Architects Designs the Summerville House in South Carolina
Sustainably Built Canopied Buildings
Kevin Daly Architecture Designs a Foundation's Headquarters
Playfully Angular House Designs
Takeshi Hirobe Architects Design the Villa MKZ in Japan
Relaxing Wooden Holiday Homes
Norm Architects Designs the Heatherhill Beach House
Geometric Cone-Shaped Mosques
Altwadum Designs the Bab Al Salam Mosque in Muscat, Oman
Mid-Century Modern Historical Homes
SHED Architecture & Design Creates the Lark House
Self-Sustaining Houses
Archiopteryx Designs the People Tree House in Noida, India
Conservation Area Monumental Townhomes
The DHaus Company Complete the Arches Row of Townhouses
Upgraded Historic Buildings
Kohn Shnier and ERA Architects Renovate a U of T Building
Harmonious Traditional Home Designs
MAKHNO Studio Updates the Century-Old Kyoto House
Indian Design Principal-Based Homes
Matra Designs the New Prism House with Four Concrete Volumes
Charming Angular Contemporary Homes
Studio KUNZ Presents the Trapezium House in Brazil
Sustainable Mass-Timber Offices
Waugh Thistleton Architects Debuts the Black & White Building
Mosque-Inspired Installations
Studio Bound Created City as a Mosque for the Islamic Arts Biennale
Gallery-Like Minimal Home Designs
Daytrip Completes the Interior Design of a Home in North London
Contemporary Modern Artful Homes
Clara Lleal INTERIORISTA Designs the Art Gallery House
Landscape-Honoring Modern Homes
Bourgeois & Lechasseur Architects Design the Des Forges Residence
Vernacular Architectural Home Designs
Studio Onu Designs the Dom Las in a Polish Forest
Greenery-Sheathed Libraries
This Library Building Features Generous Plantings Of Native Species
Contemporary Nature-Inspired Homes
Fuller/Overby Architecture Designs the Nebo House
Crystalline Chinese Museum Buildings
The 'Space Crystal' Building Looks Like An Otherworldly Rock
Log Cabin-Inspired Minimal Homes
Gartnerfuglen Arkitkter Designs the Årestua Home in Telemark
Cement Block-Decorated Homes
Bloom Architecture Designs the Small Houses Collection
Floating-Style Classroom Designs
Ennead Architects & Rockwell Group Completes the Bloomberg Center
Metal-Wrapped Exhibition Spaces
Trace Architecture Office Creates a Structural Steel Wrap
Steel-Cladded Social Housing
Christ & Gantenbein Creates a Block of Social Housing in Paris
Energy-Efficient Museum Complexes
This Museum Uses Innovative Design to Curb Energy Consumption
Textured Brick London Homes
Platform 5 Architects Design the NW10 House in London on a Former Yard
Wave-Like Structural Art Centers
Studio Zhu-Pei Designs the Zibo OCT Art Center in Shandong
Tranquil Functional Home Designs
Atelier Varun Goyal Designs the Modern Courtyard House
Monolithic Sleek Summer Homes
Jan Henrik Jansen Arkitekter Creates the Vollerup Atrium Home
Revamped Monolithic Galleries
The Revamped National Portrait Gallery Emphasizes Public Space
Live-In Art Gallery Homes
Casa Galeria is a Home That Doubles as an Art Gallery
Sculptural Canteliver Concrete Houses
Espacio 18 Arquitectura Designs the Casa del Alma
Modern Vacation Barn Houses
Faure & Miniau Agency Completes Les Greniers de Babel Home
Compact Calming Homes
Batay-Csorba Architects Masterfully Designed a Modern Brick Home in Toronto
Modern Traditional Japanese Hotels
The Shinmonzen Hotel has a Juxtaposing Design Language
Inconspicuous Art Museums
Wang Chong Studio Designs a Beautifully Expressive Building
Tree-Centered Cubic Home Designs
Moises Sánchez Designs the Tonalli House in Jocotepec
Modern Concrete Community Residences
AOA Architects Designs the Hoji Gangneung Dwellings
Hillside Cantilevered Concrete Homes
Anonymous Architects Designs the Olancha Drive House
Greenery-Topped Winery Designs
This Czech Winery Complex Pays Tribute to its Green Surroundings
Juxtaposing Contemporary Homes
Bates Masi Designs the Stony Hill Project with Various Volumes
Elevated Garden-Filled Buildings
Snøhetta Designs the New Cloud 11 Building in Bangkok
Functionally Elegant Modern Homes
Monica Fried Design and Mojo Stumer Create the Old Westbury Home
Minimalist Circular Churches
ARQBR Completes a Circular Church in Braslia, Brazil
Concrete South Korean Cafes
On Architects Designs the Nonspace Cafe Space in Incheon,
Traditional Garden-Inspired Cultural Centers
Open Architecture Designs the Shanfeng Academy
Perforated Pink Concrete Mosques
Studio Morphogenesis Designs the Zebun Nessa Mosque
Cutout Roof Cement-Clad Homes
Edition Office Designs a Home with a Focus on Tree Views
Halo-Like Skylight Homes
Tamara Wibowo Architects Designs the Halo House in Indonesia
Gothic-Themed Ornamental Homes
Hyde + Hyde Designs a New 19th Century Gothic Home in Oxford
Sustainable Cubic Homes
Appels Architekten Designs a New Wooden Home in Germany
Log Cabin-Inspired Modern Homes
Balbek Bureau Renovates a Home in Ukraine with Steel and Concrete
Waved Metal-Wrapped Buildings
SO-IL Designs the 9 Chapel Residences Located in Brooklyn
Contemporary Visitor Centers
In Situ Studio Boasts a Ceiling with a Cut-Out 'Hoop'
Red Concrete Exhibition Centers
Mix Architecture Designs the Red Box Exhibition Center
Minimal Urban City Apartments
GRT Architects Designs the East Village Apartment in NY
Bright Red Timber Buildings
Office ParkScheerbarth Designs the Compact Haus 2+ in Berlin
Modern Deco Office Designs
Reflect Architecture Designs the NewGen Office with Contemporary Detail
Lighthouse-Functioning Concrete Structures
Lin Architecture Creates the Concrete Pavilion in China
Pale Yellow Minimal Townhomes
i.B. Archstudio Designs the VVV Townhouse with Pastel Hues
Peaceful Sophisticated Minimal Residences
OZA Design Presents the Cranleigh Lodge in London
Multi-Faith Spiritual Temples
James Gorst Architects Designs a Non-Denominational Temple
Brick Volume Cylindrical Mausoleums
Sthapotik Designs the Shah Muhammad Mohshin Khan Mausoleum
Traditional Barn-Style Residences
Young Projects Designs the Six Square House in Bridgehampton
Atrium Stacked Toronto Courthouses
Renzo Piano Building Workshop Creates a Justice Building
Curved Brick Rooftop Structures
Sukchulmok Adds New Structure to the Parconido Bakery Cafe
Wooden Multi-Building Brazilian Convents
Mixtura Unveils a New Convent in Salvador de Bahia
Climate-Friendly Waterfront Homes
From 4 to 1 Creates Three Pavilions in Copenhagen
Blackened Wooden Facade Homes
Annie Barrett and Hye-Young Chung Design the Centered Home
Lantern-Like Tea House Pavilions
Grau Architects Designs the Tea House Pavilion by the Lake
Contemporary Stacked Residences
StudioAC Designs the Everden Residence with Minimal Details
Landmark-Based Buddhist Temples
Atelier Deshaus Completes the Upper-Cloister Buddhist Temple
Industrial Warehouse-Inspired Offices
Carr Designs a New Office Block with Industrial Themes
Textured Concrete Tiered Homes
Nomo Studio Designs the Shift House Holiday Residence
Renaissance Building-Transformed Homes
ORA Converts a Historic Building to the Modern Masná 130
Classically Designed Geometric Mosques
Babnimnim Design Studio Creates the Mamluki Lancet Mosque
Angular Church Matte Extensions
Atelier-r Refreshes the Red Church Building in Olomouc
Repurposed Imperfection-Embraced Buildings
Civic Architects & VDNVP Elevate a Series of Workspaces
Distinctive Airlifted Structures
Arête Architects and Makers Fabrication Design the Karka Tower
Interfaith Family House Complexes
Adjaye Associates Designs the Abrahamic Family House
Black Terracotta Office Buildings
SOM Creates the New 28&7 Building in Manhattan's Chelsea