The roof is intersected by the two beams that create a central axis, which rises towards the altar in a counter-movement to the sloping floor.

It emphasizes the vertical focus related to the purpose of the place and incorporates south-facing daylighting that accentuates the procession from the entrance to the altar.

The remaining two parts of the roof on either side of the central beams consist of a saw-tooth shed steel construction which further to permitting the use of daylight, functions as a structural element that frees the hall from vertical supports. The south-facing inclined surfaces of the sheds serve

both to reflect daylight towards the north-facing clerestory strip windows and to support 3,200m2 of photovoltaic panels.

A translucent membrane is hung below the shed in order to avoid that it be visible from below and in order to create an overall soft distribution of both day — and artificial lighting. The uniformity or accentuation of day — or artificial lighting in different areas of the interior space can be computer controlled by closing or opening light directing blinds that are fixed to the clerestory glazing and by turning on indirect artificial lighting when desirable.

Elaborate scientific simulations were undertaken for the optimisation of the bioclimatic design and daylighting features of the building resulting in considerable energy savings.

3. Materials

The interior space with its simple materials stresses the monolithic and contemplative character of the structure. Interior walls are white, clad with wood up to a certain height. The central beams are of white fair-faced concrete.

Concluding the development aims at providing a synthesis of the unique historic pilgrimage place of Fatima and the new Church with all its present-day requirements in a way that enhances the old, the new and the eternal.

4. Credits

The following were involved in the project:

Project architects: Alexandras N. Tombazis and Associates Architects, Athens, Greece Project architect: Alexandras N. Tombazis

Project team: Stavros Gyftopoulos, architect in charge, Sophia Paraskevopoulou, competition phase

Architectural design and coordination in Portugal: Paula Santos Arquitectos, Lda., Paula Santos, Joana Delgado

Structural design, security and hygiene planning: Eteclda — Escritorio Tecnico de Engenharia Civil, Lda.

Mechanical engineers: Edificios Saudaveis — Consultoria, Lda.

Sanitary and sewage engineers: Vitor Abrantes — Consultoria e Projectos de Engenharia, Lda.

Electrical engineers: OHM — E, Gabinete de Engenharia Electrotecrnca, Lda.

Landscape design: Proap — Lda. — Estudos e Projectos de Arquitectura Paisagistica, Lda.

Acoustics and electroacoustics design: Vitor Abrantes — Consultoria e Projectos de Engenharia / SOPSEC, Lda. / LPL, Lda.

Energy consultants: University of Athens, Department of Applied Physics, Prof. M. Santamouris, Athens, Greece

Natural and artificial lighting: Bartenbach Lichtlabor GmbH, Aldrans, Austria Acoustics consultants: C. S.T. B., Marne la Vallee, France.