For over a century, the residents of Nesvachka have longed for a small chapel—a sacred space for spiritual reflection and communal gathering. Father René Strouhal, a priest in the local diocese, shares this vision with the suburban community: to create a church that not only transforms the local landscape and architectural identity but also enriches the cultural and social fabric of the area.
The gently rolling landscape of South Moravia stretches endlessly, with vast fields as far as the eye can see. Nesvachka, founded during the Baroque era, has retained its original terrain largely unchanged. Positioned at a higher elevation than neighboring villages, it is visible from a distance. Local natural materials such as stone and wood—rare in this region—hold symbolic value, representing faith planted in this arid land. The design team embraced the concept of a central structure, situating the church atop a hill. From afar, the church appears as a beacon, serving as both a physical landmark and a spiritual guide for the community.
The community chose the Virgin Mary as the chapel’s patron, symbolizing her enduring suffering. Her story and emotions are embodied within the design. The temple’s lower section is constructed from laminated stone, representing human persistence, defiance, and the challenges of transformation. Rising from these stones are seven horizontal beams reaching skyward, symbolizing the Virgin Mary’s seven sorrows and connecting worshippers with the divine. The intricate wooden structure interlaces with small windows that allow sunlight to permeate the chapel continuously. Surrounding the building is a circular path and a main road lined with apple trees, leading to the chapel. Behind, the orchard connects seamlessly with the surrounding fields.
This building harmoniously merges tradition with modernity. Inspired by medieval architectural techniques, the design team integrates traditional methods with contemporary technology. The floor is composed of compacted earth, while the walls are built from locally sourced quarry stone. The supporting layered structure, crafted from a thousand wooden elements, was created using CNC milling technology. A fifteen-meter-long hand-carved crossbeam adds a striking feature. Approaching the church, visitors are greeted by a five-meter-high door, inviting them into a vibrant and sacred interior. The beams at the church’s apex and surrounding structures subtly guide the eye upwards. This church transcends time; within its walls, one experiences an interplay of light, sound, and scent. The natural materials are tactile and filled with artisanal detail. Significantly, these materials were chosen for their ability to age gracefully, gaining character and vitality over time.
The construction was fully funded by donations, which extended the building process to a full twelve years. This extended timeframe allowed the design team to reassess and refine the design thoughtfully, considering both technical and symbolic significance to ensure meticulous execution. Close cooperation with builders and detailed attention enabled the team to develop precise construction documents and adapt processes to financial and technical constraints.
Project Drawings
△ Base schematic diagram
△ Analysis chart
△ First floor plan
△ Sanctuary Plan
△ Section diagram
△ Section diagram
△ Elevation drawing
△ Elevation drawing
△ Elevation drawing
△ Elevation drawing
△ Analysis chart
△ Analysis chart
△ Analysis chart
Project Information
Architect: RCNKSK
Area: 150 m²
Project Year: 2024
Photographer: Ondřej Bouška
Manufacturer: RCNKSK, iGuzzini
Design Team: RCNKSK
Structural Engineering: Vít Mlázovský, Filip Chmel
Landscape Planning: Eva Wagnerová
Craftsmen (Carpenter, Stonemason, EPDM): David Šebesta
CNC Production: Karel Hrdlička
Metal Processing and Steel Tower Construction: Zámečnictví Fiala, Kovapoláček
Infrastructure/Foundation: Miroslav Klein
Church Component Design: Dominik Fiala
Rammed Earth Flooring Construction: Hanno Burtscher, Matěj Janský
Furniture: Pavel Abrahámek
Oak Gate Woodworking and Steel Structure Engineering: Daniel Golík, Jakub Jarcovják
Landscape Installation: Jiří Dohnálek
Quarry Stone Supplier: HUTIRA
Heating, Water Supply, and Sewage: František Ryšavy
Lighting Design: ETNA
Electrical Installation: Elstar Plus
Photovoltaic System: Svoboda a syn
Security System: Maxprogress
Location: Nesvachirka, Czech Republic
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