Locally-based Snug Architects have announced they have been shortlisted in an international competition to design a national Christian monument to answered prayer.
Their proposal was chosen from 133 entries from over 20 countries, and the shortlisted designs were announced on Wednesday 8th February at an event at the House of Commons.
Steve Brine MP, who attended the launch of the project, said: "Saying you want to build a wall these days can very easily be taken the wrong way which is why I am so thrilled to back this wholly positive project.
"Christians all over the world know about the power of prayer but I love the idea of cataloguing one million of them answered and couldn't be more pleased a firm of local architects are shortlisted. I wish them every success."
The entry seeks to create a place where believers can gather to pray, and they have sought to create a living wall, alive with the prayers of those who will visit the structure and those whose prayers are tweeted, triggering a multitude of lights that transform the wall into a physical embodiment of the life in the modern Church.
Paul Bulkeley, Design Director, said: "Our concept is for a wall made of 1 million bricks, donated from across the regions. Together they form a powerful reminder of our unity, one in Christ, forming a single continuous surface without end.
"We achieve this through the use of a Möbius strip, creating a continuous loop of wall that allows visitors to process through a triumphant arch, the 'gate beautiful', before encircling the wall. Bricks are arranged to represent prayers of praise, confession, supplication, etc. At the centre is space for many thousands to gather, and we believe, become host to great gatherings of the faithful.
"Although beautifully simple and pure in form, its twisting arch will rise dramatically but in harmony with Britain's rolling landscape. It is both gentle and dynamic, secure yet open and inviting. Its form focuses up, in and out. We hope it will not only represent one million answered prayers but also inspire future generations to pray."
The next step is for The Wall team to secure a prominent site, and Snug will then be called to develop their ideas, with the winning entry to be announced in early 2018.
Paul added: "We are thoroughly looking forward to working on the next stage of the competition later this year."
Steve Brine added: "The team at The Wall need all the support they can get and will now be doing what they can to help bring the project to fruition. Paul and I will be working together to bring the creators of The Wall project to Winchester later this year so local people can learn more about it and get involved or simply support."
Pictured; Steve Brine and Paul Bulkeley in the House of Commons, and the Snug design
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