BDES1020 'Continuous City'<Heiron, Chan>

Abstract

Religion is an integral part of Venetian culture where the celebration of Catholicism is a fundamental element of faith. It is important that my program reflects the divinity of the of the Vatican city. Thus, my intention for my chapel was symbolically motivated by the idea of forming connections with the heavens and the people who have the same forethoughts. Incorporating Venetian features and facades, my program endeavours to construct a chapel for tourists and locals of Venice. Venice is renown for its nooks and crannies, urging the exploration of intertwining canals and pavements where the interlocking paths around the city accentuates the idea of a network. This is strongly portrayed by the plans of my program, where there is an inversion to the designs of the conventional chapel. Furthermore, the notion of networking is extended to the confessionals and the ramps, highlighting the two fundamental entities that display the network within the program. With the confessionals at close proximity in a grid-like network, and the ramps alleviating a sense of energy and movement, it heightens the understanding of divinity and catharsis. The feature of the chapel that separates it from conventional sanctified spaces is the lighting within the geometries of the structure. This underlying concept resonate the structural qualities of extending and reaching up to the heavens. By opening up the glass mosaics and stained glass windows, the coloured projections will enable the experience of divinity. Overall, the chapel is more than just a spiritual and emotional journey. The design of my chapel with the interplay of light commits to a sensory experience to establish the concept that people should not endure catharsis alone. Rather, the choice to cleanse from their sins and open up to God should be a journey. This experiential journey is a celebrated network.