An elevated field fashioned of uncovered concrete varieties the Meditation Chapel in Incheon, South Korea, designed by native studio Atelier Koma and architect Lee Eunsok.
Situated close to the coast of Gangwha County, the chapel sits on the high of a website that slopes down in direction of the ocean, hugged from behind by dense forest and mountains.
Atelier Koma and Eunsok raised it above floor stage on a concrete terrace that’s dug into this slope, sheltering an entrance route that leads instantly into the elevated worship areas.
“The straightforward chapel quantity, set within the huge nature, is constructed as a lifted field, signifying a separation from the secular world,” defined Eunsok.
“It permits [visitors] to succeed in the open sky shortly and succinctly, and to face instantly as solitary people earlier than the divine,” he added.
Alongside the primary worship area on the primary ground, which is called the Sea Chapel, the constructing incorporates two smaller prayer areas. These are the Closet Chapel and the Sky Chapel, each of which have been given a definite character.
Within the Sea Chapel, pews face an altar that stands in entrance of a giant horizontal window, framing a view out over the ocean and distant mountains.
On the alternative wall, an organ is constructed into the uncovered concrete, whereas slender stained-glass home windows are set inside deep, faceted reveals on the southeast aspect.
“The 12 funnel-shaped, stained-glass home windows function metaphors of nature,” mentioned Eunsok.
“Not like the colored glass of medieval church buildings that attempted to concretely categorical the contents of the Bible, right here, they fill the inside and exterior with the summary motif of greenery, enabling guests to repeatedly understand nature,” he continued.
The second-floor Closet Chapel is a smaller area meant for extra personal worship and contemplation. It’s illuminated by a skylight that initiatives from the southeastern aspect of the constructing.
On the roof is the Sky Chapel, which presents 360-degree views of the encircling panorama to create a “full sense of awe”. This rooftop area will be accessed independently of the constructing utilizing an exterior spiral stair fabricated from steel.
Each in and out, the uncovered concrete of the chapel’s construction has been left uncovered, as a part of a minimalist design method that’s echoed within the blocky wood furnishings.
Different up to date chapels not too long ago featured on Dezeen embody a marriage chapel in China by Syn Architects that’s topped by an illuminated “moon” and a minimalist concrete chapel in Mexico by WRKSHP.
The pictures is by Lim Juneyoung (City Azit) and Kim Yongseong.
Mission credit:
Architect: Lee Eunseok and Atelier Koma
Mission crew: Atelier Koma
Stained Glass Artist: Chung Kyungmi
Orgelbau Meister: Hong Seonghun
Structural engineer: Edun Struc.
Gear engineer: Jusung Eng.
Mechanical engineer: Jusung Eng.
Electrical engineer: Hangil Eng.
Normal contractor: Eldream Development
Consumer: Sangok Church
