LOCATION:

DATE:

type:

STILLWATER, OKLAHOMA

2017

CHAPEL

PROBLEM:

Stillwater, Oklahoma notoriously apart of the ‘‘Bible Belt” is no exception to the phrase. With rich religious community, and a multitude of denominations division can easily be found. The program called for a Non-denominational chapel, a space to celebrate unity and the inclusive freedom to worship. The space must then be, unanimously unbiased to any particular Religion, and accommodating to all.

The use of Brick was a Requirement and apart of the Acme Brick competition which encouraged the creative use of brick. The site had a long procession and around 70 decibels of highway noise that needed to be dealt with.

sOLUTION:

A metaphor within materiality. The” rigid body” portrayed as a solid brick structure, is limited by the ability to mold masonry, just as the body is limited by its physical form. The “malleable soul” formed from steel reinforced concrete shows the true nature of the material, and the true nature of the soul with a twisting system. The twisting form is a play on light and views, encouraging visitors to draw there focus upward, away from the world and themselves, but rather submitting to a higher being, whatever that may be to them.

The reflecting pools although wonderful for evoking thought also reflected visitors thoughts upward by literally reflecting the sky. Replacing the worldly ground with an image of ethereal atmosphere. The pools also create a subtle sound of trickling water, just enough to drown out the adjacent highway.