Commissioned by the Conferenza Episcopale Italiana, the assembly of bishops in Italy, Spanish studio EMBT’s winning design proposal of the church of San Giacomo Apostolo had to accommodate the burgeoning congregation on the outskirts of Ferrara, a city in Northern Italy. Presented with a vacant plot lined with poplar trees, the competing architects were tasked with devising a structure capable of housing 300 parishioners, alongside a residence for the priest and a parish hall. Italy has historically been an epicentre of religious edifices, especially church architecture, therefore, to present a unique take on the inherently significant typology was a mammoth endeavour.

Incidentally, during the competition period, there was seismic activity in the Emilia-Romagna region where Ferrara is located. In response, EMBT had decided to veer away from conventional church designs, which often emphasised heavyweight masonry techniques. Instead, they proposed a lightweight construction featuring an undulating wooden roof with a form familiar to them from their famous redevelopment project of the Santa Caterina Market in Barcelona and a design capturing the spirit of Ferrara’s local context. This take probably made them win the competition.

Drawing inspiration from Ferrara's annual hot-air balloon festival, Spanish architect Benedetta Tagliabue envisioned the roof to resemble an airship gracefully descending to envelop the entirety of the complex below. The semicircular church, anchored by its east-facing high altar at the epicentre of the radial complex, the priest's house also integrated within. Facing the south, the parish hall and ancillary spaces resemble the tail of a comet. The church layout radiate outwards from a central point, where the altar sits basking in natural light filtering from the oculus above.

The church’s undulating wooden roof in copper, also reflects the St. James’ shell, a popular icon symbolising the journey of pilgrims. In honour of its context, hanging above the nave is a large cross crafted from beams repurposed from the attic of the town hall, which embeds the city's history within its sacred walls.

Access to the church is through a large wooden gate that invites visitors into a realm of spiritual discovery and renewal. Located at a visual and spiritual axis, with the city beyond the river, the complex's two lateral axes beckon the community to its embrace. From educational services to multifunctional spaces, the parish complex fosters interaction and growth within the neighbourhood.

From the outside, the church presents itself as a light and delicate structure. The exterior facade features exposed brick and plaster arranged in a three-pointed design, paying homage to Ferrara's architectural heritage.

As the doors swing open, they reveal spaces housing ancient elements of worship, inviting the faithful into a realm of spiritual connection and contemplation. The altar inside is surrounded by a semicircular arrangement of curved seats, encouraging convergence to the sacred centre. The layout of the church is carefully planned to facilitate a flow of movement and interaction. From the spaces for the sacristy and the parish house to the conversation room, community areas and the plaza, each area has been strategically positioned according to its level of privacy and to enhance accessibility.

The San Giacomo Apostolo Church reimagines the familiar church elements such as the vaulted gothic roof. Here the roof, a thin concrete shell, floats above the clerestory and floods the interiors with daylight. Meanwhile, the raw concrete space devoid of any windows, echoes ancient stone architecture and buildings.

Inside the church, the furnishings crafted from laminated wood exude warmth, contrasting beautifully with the raw concrete walls and the altar crafted in stone sourced from Lecce's quarry. Italian painter Enzo Cucchi's exquisite artworks adorn the church walls, emphasising the cross's significance through sandstone and ornate ceramic tiles embossed on the exposed concrete surface.

The parish complex of San Giacomo serves as a catalyst for community identity and socialisation. Its organic architecture, juxtaposed with Ferrara's historic materiality, welcomes visitors to an enriching spiritual experience. The surrounding trees create an intimate environment, while the building's sinuous design facilitates a dialogue with nature.

The San Giacomo Apostolo Church is amongst many recent attempts to reimagine churches with a contemporary lens around the world. Discover some of those visions in our previously published projects which include the Santuario de La Salle and the Alcalá Church by Alejandro Beautell, Paco García Moro’s Oratory of St. Francis Xavier, Santa Maria Goretti Church by Mario Cucinella Architects.

Project Details

Name: San Giacomo Apostolo Church and Parish Complex
Location: Ferrara, Italy
Client: CEI Conferenza Episcopale Italiana, Parrocchia di San Giacomo Apostolo
Typology: Church and parish complex
Project Year: 2012-2021
Architect: Benedetta Tagliabue – EMBT Architects
Project Director: Benedetta Tagliabue, Joan Callís
Design Coordinator: Valentina Nicol Noris
Wooden ceiling and sacred furniture: Nazaret Busto Rodríguez, Julia de Ory Mallavia, Daniel Hernán García
Liturgist: Don Roberto Tagliaferri
Artist: Enzo Cucchi
Engineer: SIO, Francesco Iorio
Project Management: Concordia SAS – Diego Malosso, Maria Elena Antonucci