The Church of Christ the Worker and Our Lady of Lourdes of Atlantida is notable for its iconic use of brick and its vaulted structure.

Unesco declared the Church of Christ the Worker and Our Lady of Lourdes of Atlantida a World Heritage Site. The building, constructed between 1958 and 1960, is the product of the work of world-renowned Uruguayan engineer Eladio Dieste, who became a benchmark for the use of what he called reinforced ceramics.

In fact, the church shines through the use of brick, which is the main protagonist of this structure that combines vaulted forms and makes a spectacular use of space, texture and natural light.

In his most emblematic works, Dieste takes brick and takes it to its maximum lightness in the creation of curved surfaces, vaulted constructions, steel reinforcement and a minimum of concrete. The work of the man also known as the “master of brick” is a worldwide beacon of architecture, design and construction.

Among other accolades for this leading figure in Uruguayan architecture and construction is the designation in 2005 as the “Eladio Dieste Year” by the Museum of Modern Art in New York, Princeton University and MIT in Massachusetts. His legacy is studied and visited by professionals from all over the world.

The World Heritage designation of Dieste’s work attests to the capacity and talent that exists in Uruguay and adds yet another distinction for the country.

 

Source: Uruguay XXI