Suzhou Chapel / Neri&Hu Design and Research Office

Suzhou Chapel / Neri&Hu Design and Research Office - Image 11 of 22
© Pedro Pegenaute

Suzhou Chapel / Neri&Hu Design and Research Office - HandrailSuzhou Chapel / Neri&Hu Design and Research Office - Image 3 of 22Suzhou Chapel / Neri&Hu Design and Research Office - FacadeSuzhou Chapel / Neri&Hu Design and Research Office - ChairSuzhou Chapel / Neri&Hu Design and Research Office - More Images+ 17

Suzhou Shi, China
  • Design Team: Lyndon Neri, Rossana Hu, Nellie Yang, Jerry Guo, Begona Sebastian, Shirley Hsu Dana Wu Maia Peck Brian Lo, Simin Qiu
  • City: Suzhou Shi
  • Country: China
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Text description provided by the architects. The chapel is a feature building within the larger Village zone. As such, it occupies a prime location visible from the main road and along the waterfront. Its architectural language is derived from similar elements found elsewhere in the project, such as the undulating brick walls and floating white volume—but they are here, taken to another level of articulation. The brick walls begin to break down to an even more refined scale, where different heights of walls interweave with each other to create a choreographed landscape journey leading into the building itself. 

The white volume also receives special treatment, here, it is composed of two layers. The inner layer is a simple box punctuated on all sides with scattered windows, while the outer layer is a folded and perforated metal skin, a “veil” which alternatively hides and reveals. In the daytime, the white box emerges shimmering gently in the sunlight, subtly exposing its contents. In the night, the white box becomes a jewel-like beacon in the project, its various windows emitting a soft glow in all directions.

Suzhou Chapel / Neri&Hu Design and Research Office - Chair
© Pedro Pegenaute
Sections
Suzhou Chapel / Neri&Hu Design and Research Office - Facade
© Pedro Pegenaute

Inside the building, visitors continue on their guided journey through the pre-function area and then into the main chapel space, which features a light-filled 12m high space. There is a seamless integration with the surrounding nature as picture windows frame various man-made and natural landscapes. A mezzanine level hovers overhead to accommodate extra guests, and includes a catwalk encircling the space, allowing 360 degrees of viewing angles. The mezzanine is integrated into a wood louvered cage element which wraps around the whole upper part of the room. A grid of glowing bulb lights and delicate bronze details give a touch of opulence to the otherwise quietly monastic spaces. Custom wood furniture and crafted wood details compliment the simple material palette of gray brick, terrazzo, and concrete. Another feature of the chapel building is a separate staircase alongside the main space, which allows visitors to gain access to the rooftop for unrivaled views across the scenic lake. Various openings along this stair ascent give unexpected views both internally and externally.

Suzhou Chapel / Neri&Hu Design and Research Office - Image 13 of 22
© Pedro Pegenaute

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Project location

Address:Yang Cheng Hu Xi Lu, Suzhou Shi, Jiangsu Sheng, China, 215000

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Suzhou Chapel / Neri&Hu Design and Research Office" 05 May 2017. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/870619/suzhou-chapel-neri-and-hu-design-and-research-office> ISSN 0719-8884

© Pedro Pegenaute

苏州礼堂 / 如恩设计研究室

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