vicens + ramos erects corten-clad santa monica church in madrid

rivas-vaciamadrid is a relatively new development within the city of madrid, beginning with the design for the church of santa monica and ending with its construction.

the structure, designed by local studio vicens and ramos estudio de arquitectura, claims its spot on the elongated site, informing a rather linear organization of program and creating a distinct directionality to the form. beginning from a single edge at one end of the property, the corten-clad form gently widens with a single curved gesture that culminates into an explosion of protruding skylights that capture the iconic nature of the facade.

besides hosting the necessary program for a functioning church, the scope of the project also includes administrative spaces for office management, spaces for catechesis, as well as two housing units for priests. the interior is marked by a continuous heavy black marble base that crawls partway up the walls and ends in a sharp line that poses a clear contrast between the stark white walls stippled with small rectangular openings. behind the altar a mosaic of angular depressions and varying depths reflect natural light from the exterior whose intensity fades into the large open nave, creating an animated wall of material, form, and light. to compliment the structure, a series of unique furnishings and art pieces designed and fabricated by contemporary local artists fills each space- ‘sacred space desires sacred art’.

 

the south end of the site begins with a single vertical edge that expands into the structure

 

main altar room with skylight mosaic illuminating the back wall