Wanaka Catholic Church, Wanaka

Wanaka Catholic Church is in Wanaka, New Zealand. It was design by Sarah Scott Architects. The design team were Barry Condon and Sarah Scott.

The building covers an area of 500.sqm and the project was completed in the year 2011.

This building form is reference to the mountains that surrounds it. The walls of the building are solid masonry, dressed in simple plaster sweep from the entry. From the plan, the narrow entrance is widening to take in the congregation, before it curves inwards and focus on the semi-circular Apse containing the alter. (an Apse is a projecting part of a building especially of a church, having in the plan a polygonal or semi circular termination and most often, projecting from the east end)

The ceiling is made from timber and gives it a different character. The floating leaf form the roof inclined towards the alter, rises towards the sky further emphasis attention in this direction. The interior is illuminated by natural lighting that comes in through narrow glazed curving clerestory window, which widens as it progress towards the sanctuary subtly shifting angles to emphasis focus towards the alter.

 The curvy windows offer worshippers a view of the surrounding mountains. The landscape and its changing moods are quietly present as a living backdrop to service.

Images: Tony Brunt, Karen Dennis.