Church of Christ the Savior and Community Center Prague-Barrandov
Church of light
Authors: Jakub Žiška, M. Arch; Pavel Šmelhaus, M. Arch
Builder: Roman Catholic Parish of the Church of St. Philip and St. James, Prague – Hlubočepy
Construction and interior design: ATELIER Žiška, s.r.o.
Recipient of the prestigious Building of the Year 2021 award
Architectural clear and modern church with community center
The new Church of Christ the Savior with a community centre and café in Prague’s Barrandov district follows the historical development of sacral architecture with modern means of expression. The distinctive symbolism of the building expresses its mission and reflects the tradition and stability of the Catholic Church.
The design of the building had to cope with the relatively tight spatial possibilities of the building plot and also with its unusual location in relation to the existing buildings.
Church of Christ the Savior and Community Center Prague-Barrandov
Church of Light
Authors: Jakub Žiška, M. Arch; Pavel Šmelhaus, M. Arch
Builder: Roman Catholic Parish of the Church of St. Philip and St. James, Prague – Hlubočepy
Construction and interior design: ATELIER Žiška, s.r.o.
Recipient of the prestigious Building of the Year 2021 award
Architectural clear and modern church with community center
The new Church of Christ the Savior with a community centre and café in Prague’s Barrandov district follows the historical development of sacral architecture with modern means of expression. The distinctive symbolism of the building expresses its mission and reflects the tradition and stability of the Catholic Church.
The design of the building had to cope with the relatively tight spatial possibilities of the building plot and also with its unusual location in relation to the existing buildings.
Golden light ring
The golden light ring, light crown – a demanding technical and artistic element with the symbolism of the Crown of Thorns dominating the interior of the building, which gives it an unusual light atmosphere that varies depending on the path of the sun across the sky. As the sun rises, it creates gradually diminishing golden reflections on the walls to form a circle around the presbytery at midday and then fades upwards again during the afternoon; in the transitional period, at the end of the day, the sun illuminates the presbytery with the altar through the glass doors of the entrance portal.
Golden light ring
The golden light ring, light crown – a demanding technical and artistic element with the symbolism of the Crown of Thorns dominating the interior of the building, which gives it an unusual light atmosphere that varies depending on the path of the sun across the sky. As the sun rises, it creates gradually diminishing golden reflections on the walls to form a circle around the presbytery at midday and then fades upwards again during the afternoon; in the transitional period, at the end of the day, the sun illuminates the presbytery with the altar through the glass doors of the entrance portal.
Glass cross
The unique 5.75m high glass cross at the end of the nave of the church acts as a subtle compositional counterbalance to the chapel with its opacity and colour. It is an element at the limits of the technological possibilities currently available in glass layering.
The shaft of the column is one of the largest pieces of such thick laminated tempered glass produced on a European scale.
Glass cross
The unique 5.75m high glass cross at the end of the nave of the church acts as a subtle compositional counterbalance to the chapel with its opacity and colour. It is an element at the limits of the technological possibilities currently available in glass layering.
The shaft of the column is one of the largest pieces of such thick laminated tempered glass produced on a European scale.
The Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament
The freestanding Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament at the rounded end of the nave is a separate intimate space within the church. Its cylindrical shape, formed by a subtle wall with horizontal openings that helically disappear upwards, recalls the way up to God. A special feature is the ability to walk around the chapel in the manner of the Chapel of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem and the acoustics; if you find the right spot in the middle and whisper a prayer, an amplified reflection will return.
The Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament
The freestanding Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament at the rounded end of the nave is a separate intimate space within the church. Its cylindrical shape, formed by a subtle wall with horizontal openings that helically disappear upwards, recalls the way up to God. A special feature is the ability to walk around the chapel in the manner of the Chapel of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem and the acoustics; if you find the right spot in the middle and whisper a prayer, an amplified reflection will return.
The ceiling of the nave levitating above the glazing strip
The strip of glazing and levitating ceiling of the nave is an important architectural element that shapes the exterior appearance and adds to the luminous atmosphere of the interior with slender lines of sunlight. The complete suppression of the frames, glazing and supporting columns of the ceiling was important for the architectural concept, which required unusual technical solutions.
The ceiling of the nave levitating above the glazing strip
The strip of glazing and levitating ceiling of the nave is an important architectural element that shapes the exterior appearance and adds to the luminous atmosphere of the interior with slender lines of sunlight. The complete suppression of the frames, glazing and supporting columns of the ceiling was important for the architectural concept, which required unusual technical solutions.
Portal doors
The all-glass doors of a non-disturbing minimalist design mediate the contact of the sacred space with the outside world. They allow casual passers-by to peer inside, inviting them to visit. At dusk, when the church interior is illuminated, this experience is very impressive.
Portal door
The all-glass doors of a non-disturbing minimalist design mediate the contact of the sacred space with the outside world. They allow casual passers-by to peer inside, inviting them to visit. At dusk, when the church interior is illuminated, this experience is very impressive.
Liturgical equipment
The altar and ambo were realized according to the author’s design by Prof. Ak. Stanislav Kolíbal, which attracted the architects with its refined form of geometric abstraction and symbolism. The sanctuary, the statue of the Virgin Mary and the design of a large stained glass window by Architect Sculptor Petr Váňa was closer to the representatives of the parish with its more classical form. This created a vivid contrast between the two artistic expressions, which can be seen in the baptismal font, which is a joint work of both authors. Professor Architect Sculptor Stanislav Kolíbal also designed a sanctuary and a candlestick for the Easter candle for the church, but these were not realized. The other liturgical furnishings of the presbytery – glass cross, sedes and abacus are the work of Jakub Žiška, M. Arch.; the cross in cooperation with Pavel Šmelhaus, M. Arch.
Liturgical equipment
The altar and ambo were realized according to the author’s design by Prof. Ak. Stanislav Kolíbal, which attracted the architects with its refined form of geometric abstraction and symbolism. The sanctuary, the statue of the Virgin Mary and the design of a large stained glass window by Architect Sculptor Petr Váňa was closer to the representatives of the parish with its more classical form. This created a vivid contrast between the two artistic expressions, which can be seen in the baptismal font, which is a joint work of both authors. Professor Architect Sculptor Stanislav Kolíbal also designed a sanctuary and a candlestick for the Easter candle for the church, but these were not realized. The other liturgical furnishings of the presbytery – glass cross, sedes and abacus are the work of Jakub Žiška, M. Arch.; the cross in cooperation with Pavel Šmelhaus, M. Arch.