Ready to be amazed? The Iglesia del Corazón de Jesús stands as a testament to modern religious architecture in Buenos Aires. It uniquely combines concrete and light. The Iglesia del Corazón de Jesús is a chapel annexed to the brick building of Santa María de los Buenos Aires. It is located in Puerto Madero.
This temple sits within the recycled warehouse that houses the Universidad Católica Argentina UCA. Its facade serves as a symbol of worship. The Urgell-Penedo-Urgell architectural firm designed it for Dock 9. This dock is a protected heritage area within the old Puerto Madero. The design completes the university campus. It borders the space between buildings 9 and 10 to the south. To the north it borders Azucena Villaflor Boulevard and Belgrano Avenue.
The architects aimed for an austere liturgical space. They didn’t want to exceed the original chapel’s height. There are two iconic exceptions though. The first is the cross tower. It rises above the roofs. It displays a carved cross against the horizon. The second is the elevated atrium. It extends the interior space over the public plaza. To achieve this the architects embraced the chapel. They followed the original building’s lines. They also made the north and south facades more flexible.
The entrance to Iglesia del Corazón de Jesús is on the first floor. This elevation symbolizes a departure from the earthly plane. It integrates the church into the complex. Access is through the Patio de los Naranjos. It is on the first level of the UCA building. This creates a new axis. It links the hall on Avenida Belgrano to the courtyard. It continues to the church and ends at the atrium facing Plaza Sur. A vertical circulation core with elevators adds accessibility.
The architects stated that architecture and religion both celebrate light. Concrete and wood were chosen for the interiors. They sought an austere aesthetic like early Christian basilicas. Natural light defines the Iglesia del Corazón de Jesús’s compositional character.
The central nave’s symmetry shifts with the light. Sunlight alternately illuminates each side of the Iglesia del Corazón de Jesús. This is due to its northern orientation. Ambulatories run along the sides of the central nave. Three skylights hidden by folds in the nave bring in light. Two lateral skylights accompany these passages. They guide the eye towards the altar. A third opening shapes the altarpiece with a plane of light. This light fades as it rises. The choir area is behind the congregation.
The construction of Iglesia del Corazón de Jesús faced technological challenges. The large concrete panels needed specific dimensions and finishes. Full formwork was used to reach the final height of each concrete plane. Formwork up to 12 meters high was used. Special plumb bobs and stabilizers ensured precision.
The Iglesia del Corazón de Jesús covers 650 square meters. It is part of a larger 17543 square meter building. Construction took place from 2011 to 2014. This architectural marvel stands as a place of worship. It embodies both modern design and spiritual reflection in the heart of Puerto Madero.