The downsizing Catholic Church: learning from Borromini’s counter-reformation architecture
Date
2019-04-09
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Abstract
This thesis examines the work of Baroque architect
Francesco Borromini toward an architectural response to
the downsizing Catholic Church in North America. The
century following the Protestant Reformation offered
similar challenges to the Church. In response to the
Reformation, numerous Counter-Reformation measures
were employed to revive the Catholic Church. Architecture
that conveyed Catholic theology was considered a valuable
tool in restoring the Church. Selected buildings designed
by architect Francesco Borromini are examined for
insights into design techniques and strategies explored to
synthesize Catholic theology and architecture. The Sant’Ivo
alla Sapienza and San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane churches
in Rome are studied using research-creation methods that
employ architectural drawing as an investigative tool to
discover the theological significance of the buildings. The
architectural design proposal explores conclusions drawn
from research and applies the research findings toward
the design of small contemporary Catholic Church in
Orangeville, Ontario.
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Keywords
Baroque architect, Francesco Borromini, downsizing, Catholic Church, counter-reformation architecture, Orangeville, Ontario, architectural design, architecture