The “Santa Maria Goretti Church” project by MCA – Mario Cucinella Architects wins the Architizer A+Awards.
The Church of Santa Maria Goretti was voted online by the public as the best project in the “Architecture + Small Projects” category with the “Popular Choice” award thanks to the choices made in the use of materials and the planimetric layout, for an iconic result with a strong visual impact.
Solitary and monolithic, the church stands in the heart of the Pollino National Park, on the border between Basilicata and Calabria.
The architecture, with its 16 meters height, reveals itself as a casket that guards the sacredness of the interior, in dialogue with the surrounding landscape.
The monumental plan with its organic shape is inspired by the geometries of Baroque churches and the main façade, which opens onto the new church square, is characterised by a few but essential elements that define the main signs of Christian tradition: the entrance portal and the cross.
The interior is pervaded by natural light and, from the top of the Church, Giuseppe Maraniello‘s work of art, a series of translucent veils, fills the central space, reverberating natural light through its folds, in a play of reflections that creates an intimate and cozy atmosphere. The project saw the use of materials linked to tradition such as stone, bronze and mosaic that confront and dialogue with the Baroque layout. The wood and steel furnishings, designed by MCD – Mario Cucinella Design, were deliberately conceived with a minimalist design to highlight the architectural and sculptural elements.
“We are delighted with this recognition, which testifies to how the project is appreciated both because it respects the context in which it stands and because of its specific religious function and the experience it is able to offer visitors. The spaces of the Church, its artistic testimonies, the altars, are the stations of a path of spiritual growth. In the study of forms, we sought balance: the ability to combine sacred moments with the enjoyment of the church. This is what we did to enhance the design of the Church of S. Maria Goretti“, comments architect Mario Cucinella, founder of MCA – Mario Cucinella Architects.
The 2023 Architizer A+Awards add to the series of awards bestowed on the “Chiesa di Santa Maria Goretti” project, including the “BLT – Built Design Award 2022” and the “2022 International Architecture Awards”, added to the more than 60 prizes awarded to MCA – Mario Cucinella Architects during more than 30 years of design activity.
Photo Credit: Duccio Malagamba
