Interior frontal view. Render by © Angel Segovia. Image © Sordo Madaleno Arquitectos
In response to calls for a larger space, the Santiago Apostle Cathedral is the proposed home for the Queretaro Diocese. The proposed building lies on a 20,000 square meter plot of land on the city’s south central side. The project aims to turn the building into not only a new religious and community space, but also an architectural icon for the city.
The project’s design is based on a guiding axis that points towards the rising sun. The nave’s geometry begins in the circle and then spreads throughout the structure from the principal entrance all the way towards the altar. The cathedral’s roof is made up of a grand staircase that also houses a reflection pool.
Exterior view at night. Render by © Ignacio Herrera. Image © Sordo Madaleno Arquitectos
The cathedral’s interior utilizes religious and architectural symbols used by the Church throughout its existence, most notably the Latin Cross-shaped skylight that allows natural light to enter and highlights the cathedral’s nave and center aisle.
Exterior view of the Atrium. Render by © Ignacio Herrera. Image © Sordo Madaleno Arquitectos
The cathedral will be able to seat 3,000 worshippers in the main nave while two smaller side chapels will hold 100 people each. To either side of the altar, there will be 3000 crypts lining two ascending spirals. The crypts are situated in such a way as to allow one to look towards the altar or towards the outside gardens in contemplation or reflection. Another 3,500 crypts are located around Capilla del Santísimo (Chapel of the Most Holy), which is located beneath the altar.
© Sordo Madaleno Arquitectos
The structure is crowned with a 65-meter high cross that also acts as the bell tower, creating a new urban landmark within the city. The rest of the structure is based around the atrium, that acts as a catalyst for public life, drawing inspiration from the colonial cloisters that unwrapped around the central patio. In this case, however, the atrium extends towards the main avenue, allowing it to permeate the city’s public life from the heart of the cathedral.
Frontal view of the project. Render by © Ignacio Herrera. Image © Sordo Madaleno Arquitectos
The plan for the pastoral area includes an auditorium able to seat 1000: six rooms able to hold 100 people each, six smaller rooms able to hold 50, the Bishop and Diocese’s office space, and service areas like the kitchen and bookstore. The residential area for priests is located in the east wing of the building and will be divided into two parts, each one with its own private garden as well as other spaces dedicated to the private life of its occupant.
Public interior view. Render by © Angel Segovia. Image © Sordo Madaleno Arquitectos
Extending from the atrium is the pathway of the cross park, a public green space formed by two bodies embracing the atrium as a symbol of protection. The idea is that this space will be the new public square for the city’s residents. Public parking can be found below the street with space for 500 cars and 30 trucks.
Credits
Architects: Sordo Madaleno Arquitectos
President: Javier Sordo Madaleno Bringas
Director of Architecture: Javier Sordo Madaleno de Haro / Fernando Sordo Madaleno de Haro
Project Director: Luis Ernesto Hernández Alapizco
Program: Covered Area: 31,108 m2, Open Area: 13,678 m2, Area: 20,003.48 m2
Year: 2018
Status: Competition
Client: Querétaro Diocese
Location: Santiago de Querétaro, Quintana Roo.
Equipo de Diseño: Maricarmen Lazo de la Vega Monroy, José Félix Flores Mendoza, Gerardo Álvarez Vázquez Mellado, Diego Arturo Díaz García, Santiago Noriega Sanfeliz, Leslie Laura Águila Vázquez, Roselia Marroquín González, Estefanía Montalvo Santos, Juan José Castillo González, Mariana Monroy Herrera, Salvador Salcido Morones
Media and Marketing: Arq. Rosalba Arq. Daniela Cruz, Arq. Daniela Rosas, Arq. Jimena Orvañanos
Renders/Video: Ángel Segovia, Ignacio Herrera, Mauricio Orgaz-Archoglow3d.