Built for the University Chaplaincy and friary
for The Order of Preachers this new chapel is situated on George Square at the University of Edinburgh
in the garden of one of the townhouses, replacing the old chapel which was
located on the upper floor of the adjoining townhouses.
The new garden chapel not only provides a space
for peace and worship, but also increases capacity and improves accessibility.
A new access was created from Middle Meadow Walk, and, along with the siting,
form and appearance of the building, the chapel is announced to the many that
use this popular route.
The choice of materials and building form were
important factors in the design of the building, chosen to achieve the peaceful
space required of a chapel, and to connect it to its natural setting of the
garden and Meadows beyond.
Four tree-like Corten Steel columns support a
curved, oak-lined timber roof over the altar and sanctuary spaces. A thick
masonry wall, constructed out of large clay blocks clad with sandstone,
interprets the historic boundary between the townhouses and provides a solid
mass and weight to the building form.
Angled windows are formed within this wall to
allow light in and also to maintain the focus towards the sanctuary, providing
only oblique views of the garden.
A combination of clerestory glazing, ventilator
windows and a lightwell with opening rooflights provides both natural light and
ventilation. Daylight is introduced by mirrors and filtered through continuous
oak slats along the length of the chapel.
The west wall behind the sanctuary is glazed
and connects the chapel with the garden and the changing seasons, which plays
an important part in the worship calendar.
The external finish on the roof is sedum, again
connecting the building to its garden setting, and minimising its visual impact
from above.
Location: George
Square, Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh, UK
Architects: Simpson & Brown
Collaborators: George Berry & Partners
Structural Engineer: Elliott & Company
Services Engineer: Irons Foulner
Year: 2013
Services Engineer: Irons Foulner
Year: 2013
Client: The Dominican Council as Trustees of
the English Province of the Order of Preachers
Photographs: Chris Humphreys
No comments:
Post a Comment
What do you think?