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Zaynab Bader
Light
FORM AND ORDER MAKER
The objective of this project is to create a design for a non-denominational chapel on the campus of Farmingdale State College. The College wants this to be a profoundly spiritual place that people of all faiths can worship and reflect on life’s events. The College believes this can be achieved by the creative use of light. Different techniques could be used in the design in order to control the amount of light that enters a building and create a space that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing, providing an ideal environment for worship and reflection.
Light Background Research
Steven Holl - Chapel Of St. Ignatius
Holl conceived of the chapel as "seven bottles of light in a stone box," with each bottle or vessel of light corresponding to a focal aspect of Catholic worship. Light passes through each bottle in a specific area of the building to define physical and spiritual spaces with pools of clear and colored light.
Each light volume corresponds to a part of the program of Jesuit Catholic worship:
● North Light: Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, Choir
● South Light: Procession, Narthex
● East/West Light: Main worship space
Curved Walls
To avoid the harsh light, curved walls and ceilings are used in the structure to diffuse and concentrate the light.
Narrow and small windows are used to control the amount of light entering the building, while small openings in the walls are added to easily direct light from the windows.
Baffles
A baffle is constructed opposite the large window of each “bottle of light.” Each of the baffles is back painted in a bright color; only the reflected color can be seen from within the chapel
Light entering through the window is sculpted through volumes that protrude from the chapel roof
Site Analysis
Sun Angles
Fall
Spring
Winter
Summer
Site Selection
The location of the site was chosen by considering factors like the campus circulation path and the sun angles. This site isn't surrounded by any buildings that would block the sunlight, and is located near major vehicular and pedestrian circulation to attract attention. The chapels will be placed facing the east, west, and south sides. Facing north will be smaller rooms containing the offices, restrooms, etc. The meditation and memorial chapel will be facing the east and west sides to capture moving light, while the main chapel will be facing south in order to receive the most direct sunlight.
Hierarchy
1. Main Chapel
2. Memorial Chapel
3. Meditation Chapel
4. Secular
Sorting Of Space
Religious
Main Chapel
Memorial Chapel
Meditation Chapel
Secular
Offices
Conference Room
Library
Preliminary Ideas, Design, Diagrams
2D Light Sections
Past Precedents
Seinajoki Library - Alvar Aalto
Similar to the design of the Seinajoki Library by Alvar Aalto, I used boxed rooms in my chapel design for the secular programs.
Convent Of La Tourette - Le Corbusier
Notre Dame De Haut - Le Corbusier
Inspired by Le Corbusier's Notre Dame De Haut and Convent Of La Tourette, light cannons of different shapes and sizes are used in the chapel design as one of the methods to control entering light.
A billowed roof was also added which allows a strip of light to enter the building, thus lighting the space further and making it feel more open.
Chapel Of St. Ignatius - Steven Holl
Light baffles and stained glass inspired by Steven Holl's Chapel of St. Ignatius were incorporated in the chapel's interior design for spaces with colorful and controlled light.
Final Floor Plan
Toilet
Toilet
Library
Secretary
Office
Clergy
Office
Conference
Room
Memorial
Chapel
Storage
Main
Chapel
Lobby
Meditation
Chapel
Entrance
Bell
Tower
2D Elevations
North Elevation
South Elevation
East Elevation
West Elevation
2D Sections
Section 1
Section 2
Final Design
3D Elevations
North
South
East
West
3D Sections
Main Chapel
Memorial Chapel
Meditation Chapel
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