Since Alvar Aalto's design reintroduces the use of stone in a church, it has garnered widespread attention across the world. The architect drew ideas for his design from the natural world (the Reno river and the Soprassaso caves) and from the traditional stone structures of the area (Montovolo Park and the hamlet of Scola).
He has said this about his project: "I don't want my design to mess up what God has always been doing in this place."