Colab-19 has built a temporary church shaped like a cross to allow a local congregation to worship together safely during the coronavirus pandemic in Bogotá, Colombia.
Called Alhambra Cross, the pop-up church is made from old horizontal frameworks, a system usually used for casting concrete slabs.
The temporary church is made of old construction systems
The steel structures have been painted white, instead of their customary orange, and hung with mosquito nets to allow airflow while creating a more spiritual atmosphere for worshipers despite the car park setting.
"The mosquito net helps with blocking the outdoor activity, helps with social distance, keeps the ventilation going, and protects individuals from horizontal rain showers," explained Colab-19. White mosquito nets hang like veils in the church
From above, the temporary church is shaped like a cross in reference to traditional church architecture and Christian iconography.
Seating is arranged around all four arms, with an altar at the centre under a transparent roof panel that acts as a skylight. The rest of the roof is made of corrugated metal sheets.
Colab-19 decided to build an outdoor church after Bogotá's mayor Claudia López imposed safety restrictions over Semana Santa, which is also called Holy Week and is one of the most important dates in the Roman Catholic church.
A central skylight sits over the altar
The studio contacted the city's archdiocese who put them in touch with a church named Parroq...