In complete contrast to St Martin-in-the-Fields, though just as stunning, is the refurbishment and extension of a new multi-faith worship centre in Bloomsbury. Completed in November to a design by Theis and Khan Architects, Lumen URC is the new incarnation of a 1960s-built United Reformed Church which itself replaced an older church that was bombed in the Second World War. It has been designed for use by all faiths and as a community centre, in a part of central London that has traditionally lacked any community meeting facilities. Four main elements comprise the re-design: a cafe clearly visible from the street through an 8m high window, an extension housing three community spaces, a cloistered courtyard garden, and a new sacred space for contemplation or pastoral counselling housed within a striking simple white tilting cone which separates the cafe from the main body of the church.
展开▼
