axis mundi: cathedral fold

‘cathedral fold’ by axis mundi in strasbourg, france
all images courtesy axis mundi

new york-based architecture office axis mundi has designed ‘cathedral fold’, a 2,322 m2 place of worship
in strasbourg, france. composed of a series of pleated concrete arches, the proposal features both
subtle and dramatic design characteristics that together create a new and contemporary place of worship.

detail of concrete folds

glazed in between the folds of the concrete roof form, the cathedral opens up to the north and the south,
supplying a generous volume of light for the interior space. the floor plan is plugged into the site,
submerging the ‘cruciform’ layout below grade. a low-angle ramp leads the visitors into the cathedral
where the foundational footings of the concrete folds accent the space in a rhythmic manner.

lit from within

the design utilizes an abstraction of a gothic cathedral in its exterior expression on the east facade.
overlooking the entry ramp, a relief of the iconic form finished in a pixelated pattern casts a shadow
on the surface which gradually disappears during the course of the day. subtle in its execution,
the design serves as a dynamic and three-dimensional signage for the cathedral.

relief of abstracted gothic cathedral on east facade

interior view

night view

sectional model

layout

from above

pulled-apart schematic diagram

project info:

area: 2,322 m2
design team: john beckmann, masaru ogasawara, viviane liao
renderings and diagram: viviane liao, masaru ogasawara