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The Borgund Stave Church is one of Europes oldest well-preserved constructions of its kind. When initially built in 1180 by Vikings, the church was one of many of its kind to be erected throughout medieval Europe, but through time, most the continents churches have been destroyed. To this day, only a brief number of roughly 20 churches remain, with most of them found in Norway.
Established in the small village of Borgund, Laerdal, the church was constructed in honor of Saint Andrew the apostle. Its architectural design was based on the concept of a basilica and had a stone base for its foundation with erected staves for its structure. Found on the top roof of the church, the Christian eyes in the shape of four dragonheads overlook at the village to protect its residents from evil forces.
Structure
Unit to whole
Circulation
Front Elevation
Side Elevation
Orthographic Drawings
Floor Plan
Natural Light
Massing
Sight
Touch
Upon arriving at the church, this place gives people the creep of their lives by surrounding itself with tombstone and by the eerie look of the church gives people the fear of entering it. Inside, the highest ceiling is situated in the middle just before the altar and the space within the church Is quite small gives the users a sense of claustrophobia.
The carved wood is placed on every entrance of the church. The wood is carved based on the serpent because it is to believe that serpent and dragons scares evil away from the holy ground.
Feel
The high ceilings create the sense of greatness. In the past, churches were built high up because they are believed to be closer to God. This also evokes a sense of bring small compare to God who is high up above us.