New York-based architecture and design studio CAZA Architects designed and completed the 100 Walls Church in the city of Cebu in the Philippines. The design of the church was inspired by early gothic churches that refused to conform with traditional iconography. The exterior walls feature staggered white walls with differing thickness and height. "All the walls are placed only in one direction so that the building is completely opaque from one side and totally transparent in the opposite view. Anywhere in between these two states is an optical play of light and dark," says the architects of the structure.
The vertical walls create shifting patterns of light, inter-playing with shadows during the day and the night. The result is an intricate arrangement of colossal walls, with hidden passageways and maze-like entrances to represent the cryptic nature of religion.
Intricately Staggered Wall Churches
The 100 Walls Church Takes the Anti-Form with Hidden Passages
Trend Themes
1. Intricate Wall Designs - Designing buildings with intricate arrangements of walls and hidden passageways creates unique architectural experiences.
2. Non-conventional Iconography - Refusing to conform with traditional iconography in architecture opens up new possibilities for creative expression.
3. Optical Play of Light and Dark - Utilizing shifting patterns of light and shadows can enhance the visual impact of architectural designs.
Industry Implications
1. Architecture - Architects can explore innovative wall designs to create visually stunning and immersive structures.
2. Religious Institutions - Religious institutions can embrace non-conventional iconography to create a unique and engaging spiritual environment.
3. Lighting Design - Lighting designers can incorporate optical illusions and effects to create captivating visual experiences.