01. the Approach 02. the Stations 03. the Bell Tower 04. the Nave 05

RWANDA CHAPEL COMPETITION

DESIGN SYNOPSIS

The Critical thinkings which have influenced the designs are expressed with the following icons:

Earth and stone Community and togetherness Natural surroundings 04. The Nave | 05. The Altar 06. The Confession Chambers 03. The Bell Tower 02. The Stations 01. The Approach Sun and light Shade and reflection Contoured landscape The integral space, the Nave, rises up Small, intimate and constricted Towering towards the sky, The user is welcomed An open and transparent towards the Heavens. Open to the natural spaces offer a one to one this intimate space offers to the Chapel with the facade acts as a reminder elements around, this space holds a special reflection space for Confession. the first space of reflection immortal story of the that the Church extends to embrace between light and dark, offering Dark and confided, they force the and gathering, where all the Crucifixion, carefully all who seek its sanctuary. FUNDAMENTAL EXPLORATION OF IDEAS an area of reflection which is reactive to user to look upwards to the open natural elements meet. divided in seven even the natural world around. sky for inspiration and guidance. segments and split between the Bell Tower.

The Cross is expressed as The interlocking of The Church The surrounding The concrete (earth) is also used The community is invited an element of strength the stone (earth) is transparent environment is to contrast more natural and to imprint their identity to and bond between the and timber (nature) and open to introduced as an warming tones of the timber the envelope of the Church, structural elements creates an integral all who seek its integral element (nature), guiding the user where inheriting a greater sense of balance sanctuary of the envelope appropriate. ownership and belonging

The journey through the Chapel consists of six key experiences:

01 03

04 05

Floor Plan 1.200

01. The Approach 02. The Stations 03. The Bell Tower 04. The Nave 05. The Altar 06. The Confession

The general form of the building draws inspiration Entering the chapel, 7 stations are divided evenly on each wing. Together they express Splitting the story of the Stations of the Cross is the Bell Tower. This space is The journey continues to the main area of worship, the Nave. To the wings of the Nave, are the smallest most intimate from the stepped farming landscapes of Rwanda. the 14 Stations of the Cross, describing the story leading to the Crucifixion of Jesus the first of the two skyward funnels, which orientate the user up towards the spaces, the Confessional chambers. These small, Christ. This story holds unconditional importance and the telling of it has been Heavens. Stepped altars rise up to the sky, orientating the user carefully thought out and designed: Whereas the Bell Tower provides an intimate and confided space, the Nave is a much more grand and enlarged space, further emphasised by the exaggerated difference in scale. The constricted spaces funnel up towards the open sky. Nave gradually rises towards the altar, the heart of the procession, before steeply rising up to the Heavens. Excessive use of concrete creates a stale and cold to focus towards the Heavens. The deep design of The smaller and more intimate of the two, this space provides a stark contrast environment, but which enforces the reflector to look each concrete slot allows an exaggeration of light and 01. Local craftsmen will be invited to carve the stations into wooden plinths, again between dark and light, stone and timber, water and sun. It represents the Again, the balance between the concrete (Earth) and timber (natural) is integral to the design. Here, a particular balance is expressed as such that the Earth is dependant on the towards the sky and natural tactile elements, such as the dark, integral elements for reflection and inspiration aiding and providing a greater sense of belonging with the community. first gathering space which balances all of the natural elements. aswell as providing thermal mass to balance the hot support of the natural timber elements (and vice versa), both of which are interlocked and embraced as they rise up to the Heavens. timber, which forms the seat (a reminder for the user to keep grounded) and to the slot opening which allows temperatures that exist in this climate. 02. These wooden stations contrast against the neutral tones of the concrete stone. The space is propelled upwards by large timber posts which balance the The concrete fins provide a neutral boundary to the natural elements of the sky and trees which surround the site, emphasising the importance of the surrounding environment to this conversation with the Priest. Again, the timber and The timber posts form crosses, binding the story together with perhaps the most iconic concrete (earth) enclosure. Grounded at its centre, a water basin reflects the space. Cool air (wind; the Holy Spirit) further emphasises this, as well as natural light which alters the perception of this space by the minute. Essentially the Nave becomes a fluid and natural materials help emphasise the areas of sanctuary symbol of sacrifice recognised by the Church. light from the sky above and will provide the prominent space for the Baptism ever changing environment which is reliant on the natural world it inhabits. and comfort. into the Church community. 03. Natural light is selectively introduced from above and behind the carvings ensuting A series of crosses provide the integral strength and bond for the structure as it rises upwards. that they stand proud and prominent, reinforcing the importance of the story. At the base of the chimney, timber is preferred to concrete to enforce a greater sense of warmth and natural, human-scale comfort in what is a dark and enclosed space. As the funnel rises above the human-scale, concrete is used, contrasting the tones of the timber and providing a neutral backdrop to the trees and natural world which surround the Chapel.