# Modernized Religious Institutions The Holy Family Shrine is an Epic Place of Worship By Matt Ho | Published 2011-09-07 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/holy-family-shrine References: [contemporist](http://www.contemporist.com/2011/09/01/holy-family-shrine-by-bcdm-architects/) & [bcdm.net](http://www.bcdm.net/) Normally when the word church comes up, there’s usually a connotation with [old, rustic historical grounds](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/st-leonards-church) -- not with the Holy Family Shrine though. This is one place that most won’t mind hanging out at after Sunday service. The Holy Family Shrine was built by BCDM Architects in Gretna, Nebraska to provide a space for people to discover the [Catholic](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/narac-church) faith. This beautiful architectural piece has a wonderful earthy, organic aesthetic to it thanks to the use of [arched wood](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tiny-church-tolvkanten) (supported by steel) that’s the focal point of the design. Glass also dominates much of the body which allows natural lighting to shine through the building for people to enjoy in all its glory. If that’s not enough, the entrance area has a pool of water and recreational space for socializing and gathering. Church has never looked so fine. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.4/10 - Popularity: 56% | Activity: 7% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Architecture](https://www.trendhunter.com/architecture) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Modern Church Architecture:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Designing religious spaces that embrace modern aesthetics and promote community engagement. - **Organic and Sustainable Materials:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Incorporating eco-friendly and natural materials into architectural designs, merging spirituality with environmental consciousness. - **Socially Integrated Worship Spaces:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Creating religious spaces that encourage socialization and provide recreational areas to foster community building. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Architecture:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Collaborating with religious organizations to design modernized and inviting worship spaces. - **Construction:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Introducing sustainable construction practices and using eco-friendly materials in religious building projects. - **Community Development:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Supporting the planning and design of religious spaces that facilitate social interaction and community engagement. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Metaphorical Physical Community Buildings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lighthouse-church.md) - [Multi-Faith Spiritual Temples](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nondenominational-temple.md) - [Hillside Timber Chapels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chapel-of-st-thrse-of-lisieux.md) - [Fluted Concrete-Added Chapels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/st-marys-coptic-church.md) - [Albanian Sleek Concrete Chuches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/narac-church.md) - [Contemporary Sculptural Shrines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sculptural-shrine.md) - [Beautiful Forest-Enclosed Churches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mountain-church-of-julong.md) - [Reflective Memorial Architecture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sanctum-of-trees.md) - [Interfaith Family House Complexes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/abrahamic-family-house.md)