Spiritual sanctuary : proposing a Catholic church in New Zealand in the post Vatican II era

Abstract

The design of churches is greatly influenced by the attitudes of the society for which they are built. Since the radical liturgical changes brought about as a result of the Second Vatican Council, the Catholic Church has been struggling to find a new architecture to better express its Mass. Contemporary church architecture must respond to the liturgical needs of the Church, while also evoking a sense of sacredness within the space, so as to enhance the unique spiritual experience of the Catholic Mass. To establish the needs of the Catholic community today, this project reviews: the history of church architecture, the contemporary Catholic liturgy, and architectural techniques which can be utilised to inspire a sense of the sacred within a space. The research element of the project finds that multi-room designs are the best expression for the modern liturgy, and establishes six architectural techniques which can be used to encourage a spiritual reaction to a space. The design presents a way of creating Catholic churches which is radically different to the design standards currently being achieved in New Zealand. It exemplifies the aims of the Second Vatican Council; it requires active engagement with, and breathes new life into the Mass. It represents a new architecture for a new generation of Catholics.