The small mountain village of Riola di Vergato lies on a slope of the Apennines some forty kilometres south of Bologna along the road to Pistoia. The ecumenically inclined Bishop of Bologna, Cardinal Giacomo Lercaro, asked Aalto in 1965 to design a small church next to the old highway bridge across the river Reno.
The interior of the church is left moderately unadorned, in modernist style, and instead highlights its architectural arches with natural light from above. The northern light is diffused through vertical, asymmetrical ribs, which create a majestic grid of soft light which projects down onto the worshipper. The intensified light around the alter is intended to create a close relationship between the functioning spaces of the alter, choir and organ, and the baptistery.
The church’s distinct exterior profile is inspired by the three mountains that surround Riola: Montovolo, Monte Vigese and Monte Vigo. Its form is harmonious with nature, and this is present in Aalto’s intentionally pure geometric forms which converge at a central point to represent the center the church itself represents.
joaoslr says
The small mountain village of Riola di Vergato lies on a slope of the Apennines some forty kilometres south of Bologna along the road to Pistoia. The ecumenically inclined Bishop of Bologna, Cardinal Giacomo Lercaro, asked Aalto in 1965 to design a small church next to the old highway bridge across the river Reno.
The interior of the church is left moderately unadorned, in modernist style, and instead highlights its architectural arches with natural light from above. The northern light is diffused through vertical, asymmetrical ribs, which create a majestic grid of soft light which projects down onto the worshipper. The intensified light around the alter is intended to create a close relationship between the functioning spaces of the alter, choir and organ, and the baptistery.
The church’s distinct exterior profile is inspired by the three mountains that surround Riola: Montovolo, Monte Vigese and Monte Vigo. Its form is harmonious with nature, and this is present in Aalto’s intentionally pure geometric forms which converge at a central point to represent the center the church itself represents.
More info (and photo source): https://www.archdaily.com/161448/ad-classics-riola-parish-church-alvar-aalto
Crossposted from /r/ModernistArchitecture