The french team of FREAK freearchitects have shared with us their recent international competition entry for a Russian Orthodox Church and Cultural Center in Paris. Additional images and a brief description after the jump.
Russian Orthodox Church and Cultural Center
In October 2010 the Russian orthodox federation launched an international open competition in the aim to design and build in Paris the new cultural and spiritual orthodox center. Right on the side of the Eiffel Tower and neighboring Jean Nouvel’s Quai Branly Museum, the building will host orthodox priests as well as a church linked with exhibition halls, conference rooms, offices, library etc. All the building has to deal with the historical context and has to offer to the visitors a generous garden for religious processions.
Our proposal combines all programs in a single cantilevered mono block building.
The golden dome required by the program is embedded in the black concrete shape which assume its contemporariness while being very respectful towards the Alma Palace facade in the background.
The « Taïga » garden takes almost the whole site and the access to the floating church above is maybe possible through an escalator.