LIGHT

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.

The vessels are representation by six distinct roof volumes held within the walls the seventh vessel is a reflecting pool.

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

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•Curved walls were used to lessen the harshness of the light source entering within the building. This allowed an individual to look up and enjoy the light showering the walls.

The natural light entering through joints and skylights are filtered by a mix colored and transparent glass.

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

The sunlight is not fixed but tempory, with changing conditions of weather and shifting across the rough white walls and polished concrete floor as the sun moves through its daily and seasonal cycles.

CONTEXTUAL ANAYLSIS

SUN ANGELS

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

SORT OF SPACE

Religious
Main Chapel
Memorial Chapel
Meditation Chapel

Secular
Offices
Conference Room
Library

PRELIMINARY DESIGN
2D SECTION LIGHT DIAGRAMS

Chapel Of St. Ignatius - Steven Holl Light baffles and stained glass were incorporated in the chapel's interior design for spaces with colorful and controlled light.