Church of the Holy Spirit

To meet the needs of the increased population following the development plans that affected this area, the Diocesan Ordinary of Lucca erected the parish of the Holy Spirit in 1986 and in 1992 the construction work on the place of worship was completed. The recently constructed building is inspired by the language of the architect Mario Botta who uses the basic forms of geometry to create a very pragmatic architectural space, which uses brick, stone or concrete block cladding, installed with a careful design of the architectural detail, in which the pure volumes are cut and perforated by large cracks.
The single-storey, concave façade is made of prefabricated concrete blocks. In the central part, the curtain of blocks is interrupted according to the shape of the Tau, leaving space for a brick curtain and, below the arms of the Tau, the two main entrances open up. The building has a polygonal plan shape that can be inscribed in an L with the internal part connected by a concave curvilinear wall, with the transverse axis oriented from north to south and the entrance in the latter position. The interior is divided into a single hall, is very simple, and entirely plastered. The choice of the secondary framework in wooden beams remains incomprehensible, as it contrasts with both the main framework in reinforced concrete and with the architectural characteristics of the entire complex.

Facade
The single-story façade, with horizontal eaves, is made of prefabricated concrete blocks arranged in an isodomic square pattern. The façade plane is a continuous concave surface, interrupted only by the openings in the lateral portions. In the central part, the curtain of blocks is interrupted according to the shape of the Tau, leaving space for a brick curtain placed on the same curved surface. A wooden cross has been placed inside this space. Below the arms of the Tau are the two main entrances. Above the entrance, it is possible to see the glass gabled skylight which, in the view, is configured, according to the post-modern lexicon, as the 'classical pediment'.

Prospectuses
The remaining facades of the building are finished with a brick curtain that every twelve courses has a recessed one, thus dividing the floor into six horizontal bands. This determines a play of light and shadow that enlivens the facade.

Plant
The building has a polygonal plan shape that can be inscribed in an L with the internal part connected by a concave curvilinear wall. In particular, the cult space, with a central plan, is similar to an irregular hexagon, with the transverse axis oriented from north to south and the entrance in the latter position. The interior is divided into a single hall.

Presbytery
The presbytery is located in the final part of the hall and is raised by two steps from the hall.

Structural system
The structural parts of the building consist of: continuous masonry, reinforced concrete beams and pillars and wooden floors.

Coverings
The roof covering is made of bituminous sheathing.

Floors and paving
The building is paved with red marble and white ceramic tiles in the hall and with red and white marble in the presbytery.

Decorative elements
The interior of the building, very simple, is entirely plastered and painted white and is characterised by the exposed wooden roof slab.