Proposed Catholic Church of Transfiguration. Lekki, Lagos,

Whilst DOS Architects’ winning design for the Catholic Church of Transfiguration in Nigeria may appear very contemporary, it is intrinsically based on traditional principles of traditional Catholic Church design. As such, the main congregation Hall features a Latin cross above the Organ and altar; the hall has a nave and two aisles at each side which are all coincident with the main axis of the Church; a Latin Cross has been placed on the highest point of the Church’s structure, which it is hoped will become an icon for the city of Lekki and Lagos as a whole.

The project consists of an organic skin which, in one single gesture, becomes the roof and external walls of the Church, with the intention of enveloping and protecting the Congregation within. The main access is placed in the narrowest and lowest part of the building and leads into a spectacular entrance foyer, from which the visitor has views and clear access to both floors of the Church.

The main staircase in the entrance foyer divides the Church into two halves which are visually linked by the large atrium that traverses the building. The funnel effect within the entrance foyer reinforces the huge scale of the main Congregation Hall and the Chapel of Perpetual Adoration to either side. The main spaces for prayer have been designed to be peaceful, awe inspiring, and full of joy whilst also allowing the worshippers full and uninterrupted views of the Altar. The impressive glazed facades on both the East and western axis of the Church provide natural lighting and emphasise the height and scale of both areas of worship.

Set to be a prominent feature of the Lekki skyline, DOS Architects’ design for the Catholic Church of Transfiguration conclusively meets the brief set out by competition organisers. The aesthetically functional design will comfortably seat a 2,000 congregation in a naturally-lit, well-ventilated interior, offering excellent acoustics and a clear view of the altar for all worshippers with no obstructive columns. Additionally, a mother-care/crèche area for 30 people provides a community-focused approach, with a clear glass partition to enable parents to continue their worship uninterrupted with a direct view of their children.

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