Our friend Donaldas Trainauskas sent us his latest project, Pašilaičiai Parish Church inthe city of Vilnius, Lithuania. Trainauskas worked with architect Darius Baliukevicius in the design of the church.
Modern Vilnius presents itself as the city of two contrasting parts standing for two different worlds: a famous historical part, the Old Town protected by UNESCO, with its exceptional aura of dozens of churches and various cultural sights, created through centuries, and the other – residential/sleeping districts, mainly built during the Soviet years. The latter was deprived of any sacred spaces thus formed a huge urban area of emptiness.
Full architect’s description and more images, after the break.
The idea to build a church in one of those districts reminds of the story of the good news proclaimed in the wilderness. The main concept of the church we propose is an “open door”, which associates with the call of making a way to Him, of allowing Him to resurrect Man and the City.
Suggested architectural solutions:
• Façade of the church represents the main idea of an open door expressed by moderate ascetic means and modern style; • Traditional orientation of churches with respect to cardinal points is maintained; • The complex of buildings is integrated into the natural landscape; • The new building layout is such as to use a small area hence leave more public space; • Building plan: single nave, classical symmetrical spaces, main altar at the end; • Exterior finish: monolithic concrete; • Interior: laconic and soft light produced by colours and materials used (wood), focus on the cross above the main altar.
