Cistercian Abbey Church, Irving, Texas, Cunningham Architects, 1992

Like the Lullington church, the Cistercian Abbey Church  by Cunningham Architects has a refreshing solidity rarely seen in modern construction, largely because the use of load-bearing stone is so expensive.  The Texas limestone blocks of the sanctuary average 3’ x 6’ x 2’.

Though Romanesque-inspired, the church underlines its modernity with plain concrete columns, stainless steel cables that hold the glue-lam roof in tension, and the most innovative and effective feature in the space:  a gap between the roof and the wall covered by glass tiles that allows light to wash down over the rough surface of the limestone, turning it into a textural delight equal to any stained glass.

via archdaily, photos by James F. Wilson.

Lullington Church, James Bateman, 1939

from the collection of the Royal Academy

Painting Over the Doors

Large, graphic exterior paint jobs are nothing new in contemporary design.  But the way this project by domesticarchitecture paints over the doors, not just the walls, is useful for both showing the name of your church AND highlighting a nondescript entrance.  A good sign company can make this work over glass doors as well.

Space for Books

I grew up in a church that had an ENORMOUS library, complete with a proper librarian for checking out the books.  That just doesn't happen anymore.  But I think this bookcase is beautiful as a mini-library within a multi-purpose space...the printed materials are available from all directions as people circulate.  A great room divider as well...

Also by nendo, also via dezeen.

Children's Space Carpets

Our new children's house design is a combination of closed classrooms and open classrooms around a central gathering space.  For that space, I love these new carpets by Italian designer Luca Nichetto  with Japanese studio Nendo.  So versatile, since they can be laid overlapping or apart, and do you see how you can line up the kiddos by having them each sit or stand on one of the circles?  So helpful for choir time! I'd love to have these for softening the floor in the classroom spaces, to be brought out into the larger space as needed.  

via dezeen.