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Artworks
Loader Monteith Architects
St Columbkille's ChurchGiclée print on 310gsm acid free paper
In collaboration with Louis WiszniewskiUnframed: 65 x 40 cm
Framed: 81 x 56 x 4 cm£ 300.00This work is priced unframed. Please enquire for framing options. St Columbkille’s Church is a fine example of work by one of Scotland’s most celebrated 20th century architects: Jack Coia....This work is priced unframed. Please enquire for framing options.
St Columbkille’s Church is a fine example of work by one of Scotland’s most celebrated 20th century architects: Jack Coia. Designed in the years preceding the Second World War, St Columbkille’s is an early example of the distinctive modern ecclesiastical architecture which Gillespie Kidd and Coia famously produced. Behind an austere towering red brick façade, is a bright and airy Italianate Basilica style church, with clean proportions and simple elegant geometry. The new brick-built church embodies a societal epoch at the turn of the 20th century and the church's place within it. Since then, the church has remained a key focal point of the town and benefits from a vibrant and active congregation. This artwork represents landscape proposals by Loader Monteith, which were realised earlier this year, 2024. The proposal sought to create a vibrant civic space that not only enhances the setting the category A listed church but also serves to extend the welcome and outreach of the church to the wider community. The form, materials, and geometries have all been meticulously crafted through a thorough analysis of the existing architecture. The design creates a democratic and dignified entrance to the building by introducing a semi-circular tiered platform that is derived from the curved shape of the sanctuary. Its form has allowed for shallow accessible ramps to be integrated into the set piece, ensuring that individuals of all ages and abilities can participate fully in the life of the church. Through careful consideration of ecological impact and resource conservation, the landscape proposals serve as a model for sustainable urban development, demonstrating how thoughtful design interventions can mitigate the adverse effects of climate change and promote environmental resilience. Soft landscaping not only improves the ecology of the urban main street but practically serves to drain the hard standing. In addressing social inequality, the project recognises the importance of creating welcoming and dignified spaces that cater to the diverse needs of the local church community, prioritising safety and accessibility for elderly individuals, and those with restricted mobility. These efforts ensure that all members of the community can access the church and participate in its activities without barriers or obstacles. The wider improvements to the setting encourage greater engagement with the building and its history whilst positively contributing to the environs of the main street of the town. These proposals present a compelling vision of how contemporary architecture can serve as a catalyst for positive social and environmental change within the historic built environment. In line with the ethos of the original modern era, these proposals respond to the current needs of the church community and demonstrate how constructive interventions can enrich and preserve sensitive listed historic assets.