Architect: Jørn Utzon.
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark.
Year: 1976.
Photographs: seier + seier.
Bagsvaerd Church is a Lutheran church in Bagsvaerd on the northern outskirts of Copenhagen, Denmark, designed by Jørn Utzon in 1968 and completed in 1976. It is considered a masterpiece of contemporary church architecture due to its bright, naturally illuminated interior and its ceiling straddled with softly rounded vaulting. The original church was pulled down in 1538 to repair the old Catholic bishop’s palace, and the parishioners had to use the church in Gladsaxe until there was increasing interest in building a new church. Utzon submitted four sketches to illustrate his understanding of the overall concept. The new church in Gladsaxe, Denmark was consecrated on 15 August 1976.
It is narrow and has an austere façade with white prefabricated concrete panels and white glazed tiles. The interior includes the nave and sacristy, offices, rooms for confirmation classes, a meeting room, and a whole section for youth activities. The rectilinear, modular structure of the building and its integrated courtyards, as well as the connecting corridors, are inspired by Buddhist temples in China. Utzon’s church is made of reinforced concrete shells, 12 centimetres thick and spanning 17 metres. The curved cylindrical shells rest on flanges supported by rows of double columns and act as flying buttresses.
Natural lighting is achieved by high lateral windows and skylights, inspired by the drifting clouds above the sea and shore. Utzon said he was inspired to design the church when he was lying on a Hawaii beach.
