El Roble Chapel / 57 Studio
Nestled into a forest of Australian mimosa trees, a small family chapel designed by 57 Studio provides a quiet and serene place for religious contemplation. The chapel can hold approximately 40 seated people and focuses on providing ” the proper sense of religious spaces…through its communication with the natural surroundings.”
More about the chapel after the break.
Inside the chapel, the mix of stone work and wood retain the color and textures of the surroundings, while the concrete creates the simple forms such as the altar and the pews. The materials emphasize the design’s intent to create a simple and open environment that allows those to focus on their prayer and reflection. Users are aware of the wooded areas as large glass windows visually connect the two spaces.
As the site gently slopes down, a curved stone wall guides users to the central nave under a flat 10 x 10 m roof. Once users enter the nave, attention is focused on the double height area that contains the altar, a small choir space and the sacristy. The back of the nave opens toward a terrace with a full view of the hillside. A small patio opposite the terrace and behind the altar allows people to walk through the forest to enjoy some solitude. Although the chapel provides an intimate setting for the users, the combination of the small chapel with the forest enhances people’s religious experiences.
As seen on Arch Tracker.
Authors:Maurizio Angelini / Sebastián Espinoza / Benjamín Oportot
Project: 2002
Construction: 2003
Location:Coelemu, Bío-Bío Region, Chile
Structural Engineer:Ignacio Vial / Oscar Buzeta
Construction:Jorge Carrasco
Materials: Concrete / Steel / Wood / Stone
beautiful elegant design
No such thing as Australian mimosa trees, must be Acacia (wattles) if they are from Australia. Otherwise these are regular Central & South American mimosa. Understand the confusion.
Wow! beautiful cross and overall design!
Great Job…….
ITS A HOUSE POSING AS A CHAPEL.. STILL A FINE WORK
CONGRATULATIONS!
Functional and clean.
In particular image five demonstrates absolute virtuosity in the composition of intersecting planes and materials. The palette is restrained and appropriate, connecting beautifully with what appears to be a spectacular site. Image seven reinforces the beauty of the chapel garden as it is delineated by the elegant stone retaining wall.
Photo two, showing the image of the crucifix pylon, reminds me strongly of Richard Neutra’s parti for the original Crystal Cathedral in California. I find this form elegant and dramatic. The roof overhang shown in that same image suffers, in my opinion, from the exposed bearing columns. Had that roof cantilevered the result would have been a tour-de-force.
Terry Glenn Phipps
http://web.me.com/tgphipps
Es un buen diseño, muy bueno…pero concuerdo que tiene un dejo habitacional, es un detalle, de todas maneras buen trabajo…