Thursday Doors is a weekly feature allowing door lovers to come together to admire and share their favorite door photos from around the world. Feel free to join in on the fun by creating your own Thursday Doors post each week and then sharing it, between Thursday morning and Saturday noon (North American eastern time), by using the blue link-up button below.
The Handbag Church – Repentigny, Québec
Last week my latest doorscursion took us just off the eastern tip of the island of Montréal to the town of Repentigny.
A while back I’d read about a funny looking handbag shaped church there that I just had to see for myself.
Designed by Montréal architect Roger D’Astous, l’Église Notre-Dame-des-Champs was built in 1963 and held its first mass in October of that same year.
If you’re interested you can see a series of photos of the unusual construction on their website here.
Though admittedly a little sparse on interesting doors, I thought that the odd shape alone made this one a worthy post.
I found the design quite bold and especially unusual when you consider that this place is a Catholic church, and let’s face it, the Catholic church is considered pretty conservative, particularly around these parts.
Come join me on my walk-around and see for yourself.
The front doors were simple commercial style glass monstrosities, so I didn’t bother capturing them.
But everything else about the place really makes the building memorable. Even the use of cedar roof shingles on such a large project was a bold decision.
Depending on the angle, when it’s not looking like a handbag, it kinda looks like it might be a spaceship.
What do you think?
As always, thanks so such for visiting 🙂
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It reminds me of a mushroom gnome house! Very unique!
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That fabulous building makes up for the doors.
BTW the link in the email about this this post led to page no found: https://miscellaneousmusingsofamiddleagedmind.wordpress.com/2017/06/14/thursday-doors-june-15-2017/ I notice the date in the link is wrong. You might think about migrating the site to a new template which might get rid of a few bugs. Check with WP support.
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Thanks Sherry 🙂
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That is a very interesting architectural design. Definitely quite bold. It seems like a completely different building from each angle. Thanks so much for sharing this!
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Thanks Amy. It turns out this fellow designed a few other innovative-looking churches around here. More subjects for me to explore for future posts 🙂
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What a fabulous building. Thanks for sharing 🙂
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Thank you 🙂
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Amazing building; looks like someone mixed Le Corbusier’s Notre Dame du Haut mixed with Scandanavian Stave church architecture. Love it!
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Thanks Su. I did a little more research on this architect and it seems that he designed a number of other churches with innovative looks. I’m going to make a point of checking out some of the others in my explorations.
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Cool. I’d love to see photos of his other work too.
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Reblogged this on 2Broke2Save and commented:
Amazing Architecture
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Thanks for the re-blog 🙂
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From various angles: purse, Hobbit house, SMURF HOUSE! Wow. Weird!
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Weird indeed. I’m still doing some research to find out what his inspiration was for such an odd design.
By the way, I seem to be having problems commenting on other people’s posts again. I think my comment to your post may have been caught in your spam folder 😦
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I’d love to hear it when you find out.
I’ll check my spam folder. 🙂 WordPress seems hiccup-y today.
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Holy Angelical Curves, Norm!! This is not something I thought I’d ever seen out of Quebec! That is a cool building from all angles and I give it 2 enthusiastic thumbs up.
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I know eh? I have to say that compared to other cities, one thing we don’t have too much of here is bold architecture.
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I’m surprised that’s a Catholic church. It’s very odd indeed.
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That was my initial reaction too 🙂
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Oh my gosh, what an unusual church! I didn’t think we Catholics could be so bold! Ha Ha! It does look like a handbag! Did you notice the odd placement of bells too? Fabulous find, Norm!
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Who knew the Catholic church could be so bold with there architecture 😉
As I said to a few others, I would have loved to have been there when he did his initial design presentation just to see their reactions 😀
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My first time here. The architecture is fascinating. And an interesting choice for a Catholic Church.
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Thanks Gabe, and welcome 🙂
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Wow, very unusual. That would be a really cool vintage handbag! I wonder what the lighting is like on the inside. A great post Norm.
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Thanks so much. Glad you liked it 🙂
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Wow, this is such a cool looking building; not what you might expect for a church but cool just the same. Must be a roofer’s nightmare; the cedar shingle installation would be a lot of work but lots of scaffolding for the curves!
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Roofing nightmare indeed. I can’t even imagine how they would re-shingle that roof safely.
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I loved this artistic and creative Catholic Church, Norm! I am a big fan of unique designs and textures. The cedar roofing material is quite an additional feature but let’s get to the “shape of things.” I think it looks Tibetan in some kind of mosque/natural hut style. Thanks for sharing this and hope you like my more traditional entry today/yesterday but the time you may read this. 🙂 Have a special weekend, Norm with your “honey.”
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Thank you! It certainly is a very unique design 🙂
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I wonder what inspired a large handbag or purse shape?!
Now, don’t take offense: since you are in advertising, maybe it was supposed to be a subliminal message to “Please Donate!” 😉
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It’s beautiful! I love the shape, and cedar tiles. When I saw the first image I thought of Hawaii. I don’t know why but I did. I wonder what it looks like inside? It’s definitely a worthy post!
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Thanks Deborah. I can see the Hawaii connection too – maybe because of the roofing material.
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I wonder how the architect ‘sold’ this idea to church leaders? it is truly unique.
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I thought the same thing. I would love to have been a fly on the wall during that presentation 😀
By the way, I seem to be having problems commenting on other people’s posts again. I think my comment to your post may have been caught in your spam folder.
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I’ll check that folder
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Fascinating, I’ve never seen a building like this. Thank you for sharing!
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Thanks Vanessa, it was a first for me as well 🙂
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great architecture, although I admit they could have have been more imaginative on the doors to match the building
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Thanks Candace. In my research I found that this architect did not seem to be too big on doors. He was more into big noticeable design elements more than the small details.
By the way, I seem to be having problems commenting on other people’s posts again. I think my comment to your post may have been caught in your spam folder.
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I got it the regular way, no spam. 😊
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Anything will match such a lovely handbag, so the doors don’t need to be spectacular to support the “outfit.” What a wonderful building and you got it from so many interesting angles. The landscaping seems to be a nice complement to the building, too. Thanks for sharing this!
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Thanks Jeanette. I had fun walking around and capturing it from different angles.
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I would have never guessed that to be a Catholic Church! It kind of looks like a mushroom.
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It’s certainly not the kind of church we’re used to seeing 🙂
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What an unusual church. It really looks like a handbag. The pictures are super.
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Thank you. Glad you liked it 🙂
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such an interesting building, I’m wondering how much wine they drank to come up with that design?
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It must have been an interesting conversation when the architect first presented them with his design for their new church 😀
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Oh yeah!
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So that’s a handbag? Interesting. I wouldn’t know, I only use rucksacks. 🙂 I wonder what possessed the architect? As always, great photos!
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I’m trying to find out more about the architect and his motivation for this unusual design. I’ll post an update if I find anything.
By the way, I seem to be having problems commenting on other people’s posts again. I think my comment to your post may have been caught in your spam folder 😦
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No, there was nothing in my spam folder. However, I have plenty of issues with WP. Trying to get used to it. 😉
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Wow! My favorite of all of your posts, Norm. Great doors with wonderful buildings attached.
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Thanks Judy. Glad you liked it. What it lacks in fancy doors it makes up for with original architecture.
By the way, I seem to be having problems commenting on other people’s posts again. I think my comment to your post may have been caught in your spam folder.
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I’ll check and release it if so, Norm.
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Reblogged this on that little voice and commented:
This church is fabulous looking. Visit Norm’s Thursday Door Photo Challenge to see more interesting pictures.https://miscellaneousmusingsofamiddleagedmind.wordpress.com/2017/06/08/thursday-doors-june-8-2017/
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Thanks so much for the reblog 😀
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Hard to overlook this unusual shape for a church. Am still kind of debating with myself if I like it, but I do like the spring green and will follow the link you gave!
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It is a VERY unusual design for a church so I was not surprised to find that it was considered a somewhat off-putting design by some of the more conservative church goers.
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Actually I like unusual church designs- in Europe there are quite a few in that category (Gaudy in Spain). Went to the link you gave, and d’Astous has that Southern European look. His resume looks impressive. Who knows it the interior of this building would wow me. I think I would like it better, if the bulge (rounding) of the “bag” would not be so extreme.
Different subject: hope are you getting used to working from home:)
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Poor doors….I felt the same thing when I saw them. But in the recent past, The Catholic Church often has some dramatic church designs. If You are ever in San Francisco, St Mary’s Cathedral is a Must See. You’ll love their Doors too. It is THE Cathedral on Cathedral Hill.
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Thanks for the tip. I will definitely check it out if I make it back to San Fran one day 🙂
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Like an upturned boat. What an amazing building.
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Yes, an upturned boat – I can see that too. Good observation 🙂
By the way, I seem to be having problems commenting on other people’s posts again. I think my comment to your post may have been caught in your spam folder.
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I think it looks like an Ark! Whatever it resembles, it gives me a feeling of comfort and happiness and elevation. And it defies all expectations, which is a good reminder in something that represents the Divine. 🙂
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Thanks Marian. I’m still trying to find out more about his inspiration for the unusual design.
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Norm, I so agree. That building shape is worthy enough. Great post.
Here is my entry. I have buildings for my B&W Challenge and mentioned if you are highlighting the doors in your building you can play in this challenge too. 😀
http://wp.me/p3ZTqs-6jj
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Thanks so much for the extra shout-out Cee 🙂
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I have never seen anything like this. I read the texts, but I didn’t read anywhere what INSPIRED this design. Handbag, spaceship, falling book, ark… ??? So interesting. I love all the curves and the narrow windows at the top. 🙂
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Thanks Joey. I found NOTHING about his thinking for this design online either. And seriously: I looked.
This one sent me down one deep rabbit hole. I found out a lot about this fellow. He had a few other very famous designs around here including the Olympic Village and the Chateau Champlain hotel, but I read nothing about what possessed him to design a church like this.
I did find a documentary about him that’s available online. Will probably watch it tonight. I’ll keep you posted if there’s anything in there about this church.
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I’d be interested to know. It’s so unusual and original.
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Unique, thanks for letting us experience it through your eyes.
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Thanks Carol, glad you enjoyed it 🙂
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Wow, vraiment original comme église. Merci pour la visite. (Suzanne)
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Merci Suzzane. J’ai fait plus de recherche sur l’architecte, D’Astous. Parmi ces ouvres les plus connus on trouve le Chateau Champlain au centre-ville et le Village Olympique. En Decembre 2016 ils ont sorti un documentaire sur lui. Je vais le louer ce soir sur Google Play, je suis trop curieux.
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Merci pour l’information supplémentaire. Il faudra que je m’informe aussi…
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I think this is one wicked church! 😮 Can’t believe it’s Catholic. But it’s just as pleasing to the eye as Italian magnificent cathedrals, only differently so. And I especially like that you didn’t bother with the doors. 😀
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Thanks Manja. I HAD to include some doors of course and I admit that they’re not much to look at, but this building just had to be shown 🙂
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What a magnificent building. Great post Norm. Love the lyrical shapes.
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Thanks, glad you enjoyed it 🙂
By the way, I seem to be having problems commenting on other people’s posts again. I think my comments to your post may have been caught in your spam folder.
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Finally found it, yes it was in spam, but I will keep an eye out now. And it’s been posted properly again.
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That really is something!
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Thanks, I thought so too 🙂
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Great shots. I love the design – more like an old fashioned doctor’s bag – a Gladstone bag.
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Thanks Ian – I was thinking a doctor’s bag as well 🙂
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This is a fantastic building – in all senses of the word. I love the gorgeous sweeping lines and the way it morphs with different views. Also love the way the photo with the two little doors turn the handbag into a bug! Why isn’t there more of this kind of daring architecture in Montreal? (I hope I haven’t doubled my comments. The first time I commented didn’t seem to ‘take’. Could you please delete one if you find two? Thanks!)
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Thanks Susi. Generally I’d say that Montreal does have a shortage of inspiring architecture compared to many other cities. This fellow has a few notable ones around town though. Among his creations he also designed the Chateau Chaplain and the Olympic Village.
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That is quite a building, Norm. I know the Catholic Church was loosening up a little in the early 60s, but this is quite a stretch. Your comment about the cedar shingles registered with me. I’ve installed cedar shingles on walls and roofs, and I can’t imagine doing it on that scale or in and around those curves. Especially the curving hips on the little entrance building. Thansk for including the link to the construction photos!
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As I told my wife when we were there, I would have loved to have been there when the architect was pitching this design to the decision makers 😀
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That is certainly a different building for a Catholic church. Where are the stained glass windows? I wonder what the architect was thinking when designing this church and I also wonder what the inside looks like in the handbag part of the church. I’ve never seen such an unusual building or church, so thanks for sharing Norm.
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Thanks Mary, glad you enjoyed it. I tried digging deeper about the thought process behind the design but because this architect also designed a few other more famous building around here, this church only gets mentioned in passing.
By the way, I seem to be having problems commenting on other people’s posts again. I think my comments to your post may have been caught in your spam folder 😦
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I’ll go check the spam, Norm. I’ve had to dig other people out of there, so consider yourself among an elite group! 😉
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Indeed a departure from what I’ve come to expect for a Catholic Church. Each side is so very different from the other.
Now, if I may be bitchy… someone needs to do something about the lanky cedars that flank the doors.
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Thanks Maggie – it is a departure from typical staid Catholic architecture. I would have loved to have been there when the architect was pitching his design to the decision makers 😉
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In the first three images it looks as if a zip is running up the building, lol. That’s the most unusual church I’ve ever seen, Norm. I love how you described it as a handbag, I was thinking the same thing as I have one of a similar shape. What a project for a shingle roof!
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You’re right about that zipper Jean and I’d like to believe this was deliberate on the part of the architect 😉
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Perfect example of why you are the ‘Thursday Doors Leader.’ Never have I seen a handbag shaped church. Amazing craftsmanship. 🙂
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Thanks Judy. This is one of the most original shaped building I’ve ever seen. The fact that it’s a church makes it that much more fascinating.
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oh wow that is a stunning building . .. clearly though we all need to drop the architect a line about door design!!
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Thanks Becky. Unfortunately the architect has been gone for some time now. I did some research on his style and some of the other building he designed. From what I can tell, doors were not that important to his overall designs.
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Silly man!!!
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What a fantastic building. I wonder how the architect came up with such an idea. I love the curvilinear design and the rather odd double doors. You are right, the doors aren’t the building’s best point.
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I did some research on the architect to see if I could find out more about his thought process when coming up with this design but there was no detailed mention of it that I could find.
By the way, I seem to be having problems commenting on other people’s posts again. I think my comments to your post may have been caught in your spam folder.
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I guess it was simply whimsy! It really did look like a purse – something a lady of the older generation would have hung over her arm when attending church.
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Shame about the doors but it’s a beautiful building, at least from some angles. I especially liked your views through the trees.
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Thanks Judith. I was dissapointed about the doors but overall it is a lovely building 🙂
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