Final Project Posts

For this project I wanted to create a structure that contains the program of the chapel in a simple and organized way. When I think of a sacred place, I think of a sanctuary. I think of a place that lets you escape and a place that makes you inspired, makes you think, and makes you reflect. I think of words like peace, and tranquility. For me, translating this to architecture means simple and pure forms. This is what I have based my design on.

Inspiration:

I found inspiration in the design asthetics of Alvaro Siza, Tadao Ando, and Steven Holl. Each of these architects used very simple geometry and plains. I pulled the cantilevered lobby area from Steven Holl's structures (see the compilation of my inspirations). For the chapel proper, I was largely inspired by Tadao Ando's Langen Foundation. This structure has a massive concrete structure surrounded by a lighter cube envelope. Furthermore, the design on the roof is inspired by Tadao Ando's Church of Light. The cross Tadao abstracts on the wall is similar to my design on the roof. Four panels allow light through the opening. When the light pouring through the roof hits the wall, it creates a similar effect to Ando's Church of Light. I pushed this design a bit further by adding in the influence of Jean Nouvel's Institute de Monde.

Entrance Structure

Our client has stated an appreciation for "how much can be accomplished with straight lines and simple geometry", and for that reason, I have created this structure. In keeping order, I designed two building that together form a rectangle in plan and elevation. The first building, was inspired largely by my wall project. For my wall project, I created a robust lobby space. Using this same principle, I used this structure to create an inhabitable space that serves several purposes. This building houses the classroom and office space, located upstairs. To ensure privacy for the ministers office, the office has its own staircase (pulling largely from the double staircase in my wall project). This will

significantly reduce the amount of traffic near the ministers office to ensure privacy for those seeking counseling or other personal and religious advice. The office is also located close to the entrance to allow ease of entry and does not creat unnecessary foot traffic near the chapel proper. The same is true for the classrooms. These are located adjacent to the office. The classroom has its own access point, a staircase that directly mirrors that of the office. Furthermore, on the first floor of the lobby are both a mens and women's bathroom. These bathrooms are accessed by walking down a short hallway on the side of the stairs. The lobby floor, which is raised and at the same level as the elevated platforms, is dropped for entry to the bathroom. This suggests a sense of holiness for the platform. If going to the bathroom, you are required to step down off of the platform. The bathrooms also take advantage of the space under the staircase and are not directly near or in the view of the chapel proper. This again respects the sanctity of this religious place. Every space in this structure is utlized. The class room and office just out towards the chapel, created a sense of communication between the two structures. However, most importantly, this structure first and foremost the entry way to the chapel proper. By entering this building first, occupants are lead away from the noise and chaos of the street. They are separated from the public space and enter a more private space.

Side Chapel and Chapel Proper

Directly in front of them, they see a pathway leading to the chapel. Once they walk through the lobby, they enter the sacred place, completely cut off from the outside world. While approaching the chapel, occupants walk on one solid raised platform that draws the occupants to the building. At the end of the path, light hitting the chapel enticed occupants to enter. Once occupants have reached the chapel, they have a choice to move into the chapel directly in front of them, or to take a short diversion and walk the platforms around the building. These platforms are purposefully 1 foot narrower to assert the dominant route; the one leading to the chapel. Occupants are given a unique opportunity to walk the perimeter of the building, enjoying relatively unobstructed views of the ocean, the grove of trees, and the earth mound. This walk pays homage to the natural serenity of the surrounding location. Using subtractive space on the right side of the chapel, there is a place where occupants can take a seat in the nook of the wall. Here they can enjoy a panorama zen view of the ocean. For a more private experience, occupants can enter the additive space of the side chapel. This area has a dropped ceiling and is relatively darker. This area is intended for people seeking to reflect and remove themselves from the chapel proper. Seating in the chapel faces views of the ocean. One wall of the side chapel has a unique design, inspired by Jean Nouvel's Institute de Monde. When seated, a large diamond in the middle of the wall frames a perfect snippet of the ocean. Light hits the chapel all most exclusively from the one perforated wall that creates a unique lighting experience inside.

Entering the chapel itself, occupants will be inspired by the expressive light pouring through the roof. The pattern seen in the side chapel is repeated in the roof design and this creates unique patterns on the surfaces of the chapel. When the sun is directly in front of the chapel, the shadows create an abstracted cross on the wall. This cross can be seen all the way from the lobby and at all points along the central walkway. In order to mimic the geometry of the walls, a utility space with similar dimensions to the seating nook is created. Here, additional chairs, tables, religious objects etc can be kept. The front is flanked by two corners protruding into the chapel, one from the side chapel, and one from the storage space. Though at first it may seem that the chapel will be a

prefect square, occupants my be surprised to find it is a bit longer then it is wide, keeping with the traditional church form.

Cube within a Cube/Skeletal vs Massive, Structure

The entire chapel is essentially a cube within a cube. This cube within a cube system allowed me to explore skeletal verses massive in several neat ways (the skeletal glass system, the mullion proportional grid, the perforated ceiling and side chapel wall). I wanted to create a comfortable and unique space for occupants. I decided to create a glass box surrounding the chapel for several reasons. First, I wanted to create a unique space between the chapel and the box. This area can be inhabited via walking and sitting. This allows people to leave the chapel itself for whatever reason (phone call, need to get away, reflection, or to enjoy a short walk etc). Secondly, this allowed me to perforate the chapel to create a unique expressive light feature while still protecting occupants from the cold and windy ocean weather. Furthermore, the box adds an unique aesthetic feature that helps reinforce its size and magnitude in comparison to the lobby. The glass cube makes the chapel just as wide and just as tall as the lobby. This helps to enhance the sense of order and simple geometry that our client has requested and contributes to the idea of purity and simplicity. On the glass box, I have created a mullion grid system. This grid has 10' X 10' squares within the system. This mimics the size of the walls of the side chapel as well as the geometry of the lobby structure. The design on the roof follows these same proportions to create a sense of order and to maintain structural integrity. My 1/2 inch section study model shows the structural integrity of my design. Strong load bearing concrete walls support the concrete roof. Taking from the roof project, the roof of the chapel has a beam system that again matches the grid system seen in the mullions and the pattern on the ceiling. This creates a unique depth the to ceiling that allows an interesting play of light at different times of day. This same mullion system is reflected on the large curtain wall of the classroom and office space as well. Continuing with the cube within a cube motif, the side chapel is a perfect cube that penetrates the corner of the chapel, creating a unique nook to inhabit.

Symmetry

In my design symmetry was very important. A dominant axis is made with the path leading to the chapel. In the lobby, stair cases and bathrooms are found on either side. The chapel itself is symmetric about this same axis. This is reflect in the mullion system as well as the unique pattern on the roof as well as in the inside walls of the chapel. To add variation, the sitting nook and side chapel offer a pleasant deviation from the symmetry. This is likely surprising to the occupants. As then walk along the axis towards the chapel, they cannot see any hints of the side chapel or the sitting nook. It is only when occupants decide to walk the paths they they discover this refuge, much to their surprise. This symmetry has allowed me to create a very ordered and simple space. I have tried very hard to stay away from odd angles, and strange geometry that can be distracting from a peaceful sanctuary.

Gardens

If I were to further develope this design, I would next focus on the landscaping. My vision for the areas on the left side of the walkway was to create a garden with very geometrical patterns. I would use rectangular sculptured hedges and lowered pathways to create areas to sit and enjoy the view (see example photo). People would be encouraged to walk the gardens and find areas to inhabit. I was also thinking about using the areas on the right of the walkway to develop the outdoor play area for the children. Raised vegetation (ie manicured hedges) could be used as short 'natural walls' to contain the children at play. These shrubs would mimic the garden area to the right but in the center would have grass or something similar for children to play on. Using hedges would allow me to retain and compliment the simple geometry of my structure.

In this project, I really tried to push myself to keep the design simple but to really push the envelope to create unique spaces and a unique occupant experience. I have tried to pay attention to most every gesture in the building, everything from wall to floor interactions, corners, shadows and light, spacial interactions etc. I feel that I have successfully create a sacred place meeting the design aesthetic of the minister in a very pure and refined way. Sensibly fitting in all program requirements without creating awkward angles and 'add-ons' was a challenge, but I feel I have been pretty successful. I started off really slow in the beginning of the project. I remember coming to class with nothing but cubes and tons of sketches in my book. After numerous iterations, I was able to refine my design and create this more pure structure. After all this, I am really happy with both the process and the e

nd results. This has been a really great learning experience for me, thanks for everything Patti, Glenn, and Ben. Thanks also to everyone else in the studio who made the quarter fun and exciting, congrats on being done! :)