IDA 2025 IS NOW OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS! SUBMIT NOW AND GET 5% OFF YOUR ENTRY FEES.
Religious and spiritual architecture plays a significant role in shaping experiences of worship, reflection, and community. The 2024 and 2023 International Design Awards (IDA) showcased exceptional designs that marry cultural heritage with contemporary innovation. In this article, we explore six award-winning projects that redefine sacred spaces—from a Christian church in China to a mosque in Bangladesh and a chapel in Mexico.
The Wanbao Christian Church in Fujian, China, designed by Fujian Jianyan Engineering Consulting Co., Ltd. and Nanjing Polytechnic Institute, skillfully intertwines Christian symbolism with the local marine culture of Pingtan Island. The design, led by Chen Jing and Xiaowei Zhang, creates a spatial narrative using metaphors and symbols from the Bible, turning each room, such as the foyer, sanctuary, and inner courtyard, into a chapter in a larger spiritual story.
This approach transforms the church into more than just a space for worship; it becomes an immersive experience where architecture and storytelling converge to express both faith and culture.
Cosmoc Lighting Ltd. revamped the lighting design of the Luce Chapel at Tunghai University in Taichung, Taiwan, blending modern lighting technology with the chapel’s historic design. Led by Ching Yu Lin, the team enhanced the chapel’s curves by incorporating lighting that accentuates its spiritual essence. The design minimizes glare while offering adaptable lighting for worship, creating a peaceful atmosphere for both day and night.
Externally, the lighting highlights the chapel’s form while reducing light pollution, with particular emphasis on the illuminated cross. The energy-efficient design revitalizes this timeless spiritual landmark, seamlessly uniting heritage with sustainability.
In Almetyevsk, Russia, the exterior lighting of the Mosque blends warm and cool light to highlight the mosque’s multi-layered façade, dome, and minaret. Designed by Vladislav Oblasov and Valeria Gorelova, this lighting approach enhances the mosque’s monumental presence, creating a play of light and shadow that brings the building to life. Inside, soft, ambient lighting provides comfort and navigational clarity for worshippers.
The thoughtful use of light elevates the mosque’s architectural beauty while maintaining a respectful atmosphere of tranquility.
Designed by Apaloosa Estudio De Arquitectura & Walter Flores, the La Escondida Chapel in La Garza, Chiapas, Mexico, offers a quiet and intimate spiritual retreat. Located 500 meters from the main Villas La Escondida hotel complex, the chapel encourages visitors to take a reflective walk along a peaceful path, adding an element of anticipation and spiritual preparation.
The chapel’s minimalist design embraces the surrounding natural landscape, creating a sacred space that feels both connected to the land and apart from the distractions of daily life. Its strategic placement fosters intimacy and a personal connection with the divine.
The Mayor Mohammad Hanif Jam-e-Mosque, designed by Prof. Md. Rafiq Azam and Shatotto Architecture for Green Living, draws inspiration from the historic Mughal mosque typology. Located in the Azimpur neighborhood of Dhaka, Bangladesh, this mosque creates a threshold space between the bustling city and the peaceful realm of worship. The design uses traditional Mughal elements while integrating contemporary considerations to create a place of spiritual reflection.
The mosque serves as both a religious center and a symbol of communal harmony, offering a peaceful escape from the surrounding urban chaos.
The Church, designed by Feng Chia University and W design Inc., transforms a modern office building into a sacred place of worship. Overcoming the challenges of working within a space defined by flooring limitations and glass curtain walls, the designers crafted a church that draws on biblical symbolism to create a unique spiritual atmosphere.
This church combines modern design with ancient traditions, offering a space for reflection and community connection. Despite its urban location, the church feels intimate and connected to its sacred purpose.
These IDA winners in religious and spiritual architecture highlight a range of innovative approaches to creating sacred spaces. From the fusion of faith and culture in China’s Wanbao Christian Church to the restoration of heritage through lighting at the Luce Chapel in Taiwan, these projects redefine how architecture can foster spiritual experiences. Whether through storytelling, lighting, or thoughtful integration with the environment, these spaces elevate the way we connect with the divine and the community.