Light has a significant effect, for the church buildings. People regard the light as the power of god. By creating the special light effect of the building can strength this power. And St. Mary’s Cathedral is a good example.
St. Mary’s Cathedral, Tokyo is designed by Japanese famous architect Kenzo Tange in 1964. Although it has been many years, it is still extraordinary today.
The layout of the building is in the form of a cross. The parabolic wall of the building is not the wall and is also acting as the role of the roof. The parabolas open upwards to form a cross of light, which continues vertically along the length of the four facades.
Natural light changes during the day. These concrete walls provide a dramatic spectacle in their contact with light, which seeps through the studied openings located at the zenith, or through the elongated windows on the sides. The stained glass behind the altar I think is the highlight in the design, make the whole spectacle more dramatic and misery.
