“More than 20 meters high!” That’s the first thought that strikes many visitors as they approach Iglesia San Manuel González here in Madrid. This modern church stands as a testament to contemporary architecture. It also honors San Manuel González.
Iglesia San Manuel González is one of the recent architectural works. Estudio Ramón Fernández-Alonso designed it with associates. The church resides in San Sebastián de los Reyes in Madrid. Construction finished around 2019.
The Iglesia San Manuel González distinguishes itself through its striking facade. It is visible from one of Madrid’s main roads. The building uses a hybrid design within the Parroquial SMG complex. It responds to two distinct settings. One is the parkland. The other is the residential city.
Inside Iglesia San Manuel González, a varied program unfolds across six distinct areas. The church includes a nave. It also features a presbytery and baptistery on the ground floor. You’ll find the choirs and adoration chapel on the first floor.
Parish and Caritas offices are located on the ground floor. Classrooms occupy levels one and two. These accommodate roughly 180 students. There are multipurpose rooms on the ground floor and basement. The upper three levels contain residential units. These include departmental studios and apartments. The basement holds a garage for sixteen vehicles. It also houses storage and facility zones.
The design incorporates both the park and city contexts. It uses warm materials like ceramic tiles. This links it to the residential expansion to the west. The Iglesia San Manuel González mirrors buildings constructed of exposed brick.
The building uses lightweight dry-mounted facade systems. It features ventilated facades with aluminum anchors. These resemble those in prefabricated commercial containers. Sloped roofs and vertical facades use U-profile straps. These rest on metal beams. The facade uses sandwich panels. This creates a ventilated envelope. The panels unify the building’s material appearance.
Much of the metallic structure uses pillars and beams. The religious worship area features large lattice beams. These provide structural stability. They brace all structural elements. They resolve the large overhang favorably. The bracing gives the structure stability. It handles wind and thermal stresses effectively. The building extends over 40 meters lengthwise.
Jesús Granada captured the church’s image through photographs. His work showcases its architectural details. He highlights its integration with the surrounding environment. This modern church combines faith and innovative design. Iglesia San Manuel González serves as a spiritual beacon. It is also a landmark in San Sebastián de los Reyes.