In a compelling and reflective new photo essay, Dublin-based photographer Ste Murray turns his lens on the Sacra Famiglia Church in Salerno, Italy, a Brutalist masterpiece designed by Paolo Portoghesi between 1971 and 1974. This essay marks the 50th anniversary of the Church and is part of a broader series exploring the temporal and spatial qualities of architecture at the half-century mark. Through his visual study, Murray offers a critical representation of Portoghesi’s vision, reflecting on the transience of time, the cultural patterns of society, and the inherent tension in Modernist and Brutalist structures as they navigate the present day. Read more below the following images.
Architectural Photo Essay by Ste focussing on the Sacra Famiglia Church in Salerno, Italy.
Paolo Portoghesi’s Brutalist Vision: A Timeless Symbol of the Holy Trinity
The Sacra Famiglia Church is a prominent example of Portoghesi’s distinct architectural philosophy, encapsulating the interplay between form, function, and spiritual symbolism. Constructed from reinforced concrete, the Church is characterized by its six interlocking circular forms—three of which represent the Holy Trinity. This geometric composition is emblematic of Brutalism’s bold, utilitarian aesthetic, while also serving as a profound spiritual metaphor. Located in Salerno’s Fratte district, the Church is nestled within a residential neighborhood, its mass and form softened by the surrounding landscape of mature trees and distant mountains.
Murray’s photo essay emphasizes how these natural elements interact with the structure, allowing the Church to transcend its urban context and blend into the tranquility of the countryside. The dense foliage surrounding the site contrasts the stark concrete, creating a dialogue between the artificial and the organic, the sacred and the mundane. Through the ever-shifting play of light and shadow, the building’s imposing circular forms take on new textures and meanings, as the curved surfaces modulate with the changing conditions of the day. The result is a constantly evolving spatial experience, a signature of Brutalist architecture, where the interaction between structure, light, and time reveals the hidden complexity within the concrete façade.
Exploring Brutalism Through Time: The 50-Year Reflection
Murray’s essay is part of a larger photographic series that examines Brutalist and Modernist buildings at the 50-year mark. This temporal milestone provides a unique lens through which to view architecture, offering both an opportunity for reflection and a critical reassessment. As buildings age, they often find themselves in a liminal space—too young to be considered historical monuments, yet too old to seamlessly fit into contemporary urban needs. Murray’s work grapples with this tension, capturing the Church at a moment when it is both celebrated as an architectural icon and scrutinized for its relevance in the modern world.
This examination of Brutalist architecture, specifically the Sacra Famiglia Church, is timely. Brutalism, with its raw, exposed materials and monumental scale, often evokes polarizing responses. As cities evolve and societal needs shift, these structures, once symbols of progress, are frequently critiqued for their inflexibility and aesthetic harshness. Yet, through Murray’s lens, the Sacra Famiglia Church is presented not as a relic of a bygone era, but as a living entity—one that continues to engage with its environment and community.
Architectural Transience: Light, Shadow, and the Sacred
A recurring theme in Murray’s photography is the transience of time and space, and the Sacra Famiglia Church exemplifies this concept. His images capture the subtle interplay of light and shadow across the curved concrete surfaces, a dance that highlights the building’s changing relationship with its surroundings. The thick, brutalist walls, initially perceived as cold and static, become dynamic through Murray’s eye—reflecting the nuanced shifts of daylight as it passes over the façade.
This emphasis on light reveals the spiritual undertones of the architecture. Sacred spaces are often designed to heighten a sense of stillness and reflection, and Murray’s portrayal of the Sacra Famiglia Church taps into this atmosphere. The quietude of the site, enhanced by the natural landscape and distant hills, speaks to the Church’s role as a place of contemplation and community gathering. The weight of the building, its heavy concrete forms, contrasts with the ephemeral qualities of light and shadow, evoking a sense of timelessness that is central to religious architecture.
A Tribute and a Critique: The Role of the Uncommissioned Photo Essay
One of the most compelling aspects of Murray’s essay is its status as an uncommissioned work. Freed from the constraints of client expectations or architectural endorsements, his approach is more raw and honest, offering a deeper exploration of the Church’s meaning. This independence allows for a critical distance, as Murray does not merely document the building but engages with it on an intellectual and emotional level. His photographs serve both as a tribute to Portoghesi’s Brutalist vision and as a critique of the evolving role of such structures in contemporary society.
By selecting buildings in their 50th year, Murray’s series invites viewers to contemplate the passage of time and its impact on architecture. The Sacra Famiglia Church, in its monumental form, stands as a testament to Brutalist ideals, yet it also reveals the challenges faced by Modernist structures as they age. Through this temporal lens, Murray asks us to consider how architecture adapts—or resists adaptation—to the changing needs of society.
The Living Legacy of the Sacra Famiglia Church
Ste Murray’s photo essay on the Sacra Famiglia Church is a powerful exploration of the intersection between architecture, time, and space. Through his lens, the building becomes more than just a structure—it is a living entity, constantly shifting in response to light, shadow, and the natural environment. As part of his ongoing series documenting 50-year-old Brutalist and Modernist buildings, Murray’s work offers a nuanced reflection on the legacy of these structures and their place in contemporary society.
In capturing the Sacra Famiglia Church, Ste Murray not only pays homage to Paolo Portoghesi’s architectural genius but also invites us to consider the deeper meanings inherent in sacred spaces, and the enduring relevance of Brutalism in our evolving urban landscapes.
All images © by Ste Murray. Feel free to take a look at the Architecture and Photography sections on WE AND THE COLOR to find other inspiring projects.
The post Capturing Time and Space: Ste Murray’s Photo Essay on the Sacra Famiglia Church, Salerno appeared first on WE AND THE COLOR.
