Hérémence is home to one of the most imposing examples of 20th century Swiss architecture. The village, remotely situated far from any urban centres, subsisted on agriculture and livestock farming until the construction of the nearby Grande-Dixence hydro-electric dam catapulted it to the forefront of modernity. The use of concrete for this modern masterpiece, the church of St Nicholas, made possible the sculptural volumes in its design. Constructed 1967-1971 to the design of Walter Maria Förderer, its bold architecture is characterised by a succession of voluminous structures and minute attention to detail. It is these innovative qualities which make it such a unique building.
Inhalt
Introduction
The Dix Valley and its large hydroelectric plants
- Life before the dam 3
- The first Dixence dam 5
- The Grande-Dixence dam
Hérémence's new church
- The context
- The competition
- Construction
Walter Maria Förderer: an architect-cum-sculptor in search of an ideal
- Biography
- His thinking and writings
Architectural promenade
- External ambulations
- Inside the church
Reactions and critical success given to the Church of Saint-Nicolas d'Hérémence
Contemporary religious architecture in Switzerland and Valais
Appendices