San Giacomo Apostolo Church

Miralles Tagliabue EMBT - Ferrara, Italy - 2021

Key words: Altar, Architecture, Baptistery, Community, Ferrara, Light, Monumentality, Sacred

Church Interior - Photography: © Roland Halbe

The San Giacomo Apostolo parish complex in Ferrara represents a contemporary attempt to integrate sacred architecture with community life while acknowledging historical continuity. Designed as both a religious and civic hub, the project emphasises openness, education, and social interaction through its multifunctional spaces and generous plaza, conceived as an extension of the church courtyard. Its architecture contrasts lightness and organic form with the solidity of Ferrara’s historic fabric, seeking dialogue rather than dominance.

The church itself is monumental yet delicate, defined by an undulating roof that recalls Romanesque and Gothic naves but recomposed into a radial geometry centered on the altar. This centrality reinforces the altar as both liturgical and spatial fulcrum, illuminated by a dramatic skylight that shifts the atmosphere throughout the day. Material choices, such as brick facades referencing the Palazzo dei Diamanti and reused wooden beams from Ferrara’s town hall, ground the building in local identity. Inside, laminated wood furnishings, relics of St. James, and a monumental portal emphasise sacred symbolism.

Critically, while its openness and community orientation mark a progressive model for parish life, its architectural language risks being perceived as overly formalised and monumental. Nevertheless, the project successfully balances tradition and innovation, offering a space of both civic belonging and spiritual contemplation.