Liam Mc Cormick

http://www.mcctmarchitects.co.uk

St.Aengus’ church was deservedly awarded the RIAI Triennial Gold Medal in 1971 and was awarded title of ‘Building of the Century’ by a national poll just before the end of the new millennium.

Liam Mc Cormick

• No one architect has made a contribution to Donegal quite like Liam McCormick. McCormick who was born on the 24th of October 1916 died on the 28th of August 1996, throughout his career Liam designed many unprecedented buildings in Ireland-many of them in his ‘Home’ county-Donegal. McCormick trained as an architect @ Liverpool University, where he came under the influence of the modern movement-most notably Le Corbusier.

St.Aengus’ Church, Burt, Co. Donegal

• The building takes its inspiration from Grianán of Aileach, the Bronze Age fortification that dominates the landscape above Burt. The area around St.Aengus’ church is steeped in religious tradition, both Christian and Pagan- there has been some form of religious temple in the immediate area since the Bronze age and McCormick has more than lived up to the task of facilitating an era of a rich tradition

Accoustics

• When Corbusier talked of acoustics you can see McCormick definitely used one of an ancient structure on the hill above the church. This massive prehistoric structure, stone ring fort. The fort origins date back to the time of myth and legend when it was said to built by the Dagla, an ancient king of the Tuatha De Danaan in 1000BC while the circular ramparts date back to 5000 years.

• The thick walls from the Fort are also evident in the church, another accoustic feature in the church.

• Le Corbusier 1950-1954 - Chapelle Notre Dame du Haut, Ronchamp, France

Key Feature of the church

• The building is circular in plan, but it cleverly has a second internal circular wall, which is placed tangentially to the exterior, which means that the church is both circular outside and inside, while the crescent shape between is used houses the associated facilities of the church. (confessional boxes, sacristry etc.)

• The entrance doors are not the traditional doors- bulky but glass to make you feel welcome to enter.

The Altar

• The altar is a very functional design. The pulpit, chair, table are placed on a round stage in keeping with the rest of the design. The table is a very simple shape with a fish engraved on it, also religious factor and I think the altar is similar to Le Corbusiers in Ronchamp. The stain glass also carries the fish in its pattern perhaps he could be very to the people years ago in the area main occupation and livelihood.

• Placed directly opposite the alter is the baptismal font and light also enters above it symbolizing God coming down on the person.

Structure

• There are a number of structural pillars placed around the church and they appear to be not in contact with the roof by making them thinner and darker at the top, this makes the roof appear to float, as there are no lines linking the glass to the roof.

The Tower

• The design of the roof and the positioning of the tower above the altar. The height of the tower gives a more elegant look, if he had put the tower at the centre it wouldn’t have the same aesthetic.

Use of metaphors

• Inside the building is very well designed and you can also see more metaphors. The lighting is natural supported by artificial light positioned in a circular motion and some are coloured which add to the atmosphere and lead your eye to the main feature of the interior, a large hole which is the tower above the altar. The altar is lit by this light and gives a very religious feel to the church like the light of God passing down into the church. This doesn’t light the entire church; if it did it wouldn’t have the same effect.

Building Features

• The statuesque copper roof sweeps upwards in a gentle turning motion while the exterior walls are built with a barrel like squared stone wall finish which are topped with a continuous window which sweeps the whole way around the building.

Incorporating religious beliefs

• In the outside there is also a metaphor in the Christian belief, which is water (blessing) there are a number of pools around the building with concrete spouts moulded coming out above the stone wall.

• The overall design leaves you seated no further than 15 seats from the altar.

• McCormick was a great believer in incorporating art within buildings and this patronage is notably present at Burt, which includes artwork by the distinguished Oisín Kelly and other prominent Irish artists.

Over 30 Years Old!

• You have to keep reminding yourself that is building is over 30 years old and there were little World wide communication so a lot of McCormick’s designing was very original.