Architecture 101: The Tympanum

Tympanum n., pl. -na [Medieval Latin, from Latin, drum, from Greek tumpanon.] In Architecture:
a. The ornamental recessed space or panel enclosed by the cornices of a triangular pediment.
b. A similar space between an arch and the lintel of a portal or window.
Our new design has three new spaces that we can consider a [...]

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The Sanctuary of Divine Mercy

Today we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday. In the early 1930’s, Sister Maria Faustina Kowalska of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Poland recorded many revelations about Christ. In 2000, Pope John Paul II recognized Sister Faustina, and declared the Sunday after Easter to be Divine Mercy Sunday. He also decreed [...]

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Eight Historic Italian Churches

8 Wonderfully Distinctive Historical Churches in Italy: Awe-Inspiring Architecture, Byzantine to Baroque

On the WebUrbanist blog, Lauren Axelrod has a quick photo tour of eight beautiful churches in Italy. The styles range from Byzantine to Baroque. Click the image above to link. The eight churches are:

St. Peter’s Basilica (Vatican City)
San Pietro in Vincoli (Rome)
Basilica di Santa [...]

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Architecture 101: CAD and ChurchBuilder

Architects live and breathe with their Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) software. CAD allows the architect to quickly and accurately record an idea, and then easily modify it. The best CAD software has components to render the design in three dimension. What would take a high-end supercomputer during the 80’s is now easily available for desktop [...]

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Architecture 101: Romanesque, Sant’Ambrosio

But apart from the sanitation, the medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, the fresh-water system, and public health, what HAVE the Romans ever done for us?
– Monty Python’s Life of Brian

Romanesque is the “Roman style” of architecture. Heavily influenced by the building technology of the time, Romanesque style features straight lines, long narrow [...]

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Architecture 101: Romans, New Romans, Goths and Pearls

The Catholic Church has built churches in many different styles over the last two thousand years. All of these styles have evolved in an attempt to glorify God and to provide a sacred space for worship. Some styles have even been revived a few times.
The next installments of Architecture 101 will review four distinct historical [...]

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BLS on the Congregation’s Area

From Built of Living Stones (BLS), some details about the nave:
The Congregation’s Area:
§ 51 § The space within the church building for the faithful other than the priest celebrant and the ministers is sometimes called the nave. This space is critical in the overall plan because it accommodates a variety of ritual actions: processions during [...]

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Architecture 101: Built of Living Stones

In 2000, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) announced “Built of Living Stones” (BLS), a new set of guidelines for building and renovating churches. BLS replaces the previous guidelines, “Environment and Art in Catholic Woship” (EACW). EACW was a troubled, vague and ambiguous document that never had the force of canon law.
BLS starts [...]

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Architecture 101: Inside your Church

Thanks to the ever-generous Maria Kneusel, the series on Architectural terms got a big shot in the arm yesterday. Maria sent a link to a site called Fish Eaters, which has a nice overview of what the different parts of traditional church architecture are named. Along with the glossary, the site provides a plan [...]

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Architecture 101: Sacred Architecture for Dummies

One of the challenges with any project is understanding the commonly used terms. An architecture degree takes at least five years to earn, and part of that training is learning the language.
A regular feature of this blog will be some installments about architectural terms and principles, especially those related to sacred architecture. This [...]

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