Calm quietness or just unconfortable silence?

The sacred spaces and writings of Rudolf Schwarz in light of contemporary reality

Author
Stogica Kata
Consultant

Szabó Levente DLA

Year
2023/24
Awards

II. Prize

How far can materials, textures, and colors be simplified? Is it possible to define the border that, if we cross, creates only a void, not a livable, usable space? Where the architect admires the puritanical simplicity and expressive power of the space, others only see emptiness and white walls. Rudolf Schwarz took it upon himself to create timeless peace and quiet in the profane world of everyday life in war-torn cities with his church buildings. Places where people can feel the greatness of an unreachable world. I am interested in the comprehensibility of this set of architectural tools formulated in the last century, its loyalty and honest behaviour to the era and the needs of the communities. The main purpose of his buildings - he said - is to become a place for gathering. His spaces, epoch-making spatial forms do stand their ground even in the 21st century, his houses can fulfill their sacred function, but if necessary, they can also host new forms of meeting.