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The Chapel
The Chapel
Styria, Austria
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Other Projects by BERGER + PARKKINEN
The Chapel
Styria, Austria
The result is a free-standing chapel in the castle park with an archaic, minimalist tower form that draws on the traditional burial culture of human history as a point of reference, as well as the special location in the midst of old trees. The architects created a link with the castle in sight and, by means of light and a vertical orientation, created the mysticism and spiritual atmosphere appropriate for a tomb.
If one examines examples of architecture from early cultures, the oldest evidence of human history are tombs. While houses were built in wood, mud, straw, and similar perishable materials, the desire for permanence was paramount in the construction of tombs. This is still true today for all sedentary cultures.
In the specific case, old masonry that would be suitable in principle for the construction of the chapel was available at the site. This local stone comes from a farm building mentioned in documents more than 800 years ago, which had collapsed a long time ago. The material coincides with that of the retaining walls and also with the masonry of the foundation walls of the castle.
The stone, with all its peculiarities, thus became decisive for the design and the architects succeeded in creating a material-aesthetic connection of the new building with the castle. The new walls were thus created from the remains of old walls, a fine example of sustainability and a cycle through direct reuse of existing demolition material.
Not all stone is the same and this local stone has its peculiarities. "Roughly hewn and very rustic, it is not suitable for fine geometric shapes; even edges are difficult to make. This material brings its effect best
best in the surface" says Alfred Berger. Thus, a decisive parameter for the design was defined.
The solution was found in the development of a very simple form without edges. The result was a round solitaire that calmly and powerfully takes up its position in the landscape. Timeless like the walls of the castle, but clearly contemporary in the precision of its design.
If one examines examples of architecture from early cultures, the oldest evidence of human history are tombs. While houses were built in wood, mud, straw, and similar perishable materials, the desire for permanence was paramount in the construction of tombs. This is still true today for all sedentary cultures.
In the specific case, old masonry that would be suitable in principle for the construction of the chapel was available at the site. This local stone comes from a farm building mentioned in documents more than 800 years ago, which had collapsed a long time ago. The material coincides with that of the retaining walls and also with the masonry of the foundation walls of the castle.
The stone, with all its peculiarities, thus became decisive for the design and the architects succeeded in creating a material-aesthetic connection of the new building with the castle. The new walls were thus created from the remains of old walls, a fine example of sustainability and a cycle through direct reuse of existing demolition material.
Not all stone is the same and this local stone has its peculiarities. "Roughly hewn and very rustic, it is not suitable for fine geometric shapes; even edges are difficult to make. This material brings its effect best
best in the surface" says Alfred Berger. Thus, a decisive parameter for the design was defined.
The solution was found in the development of a very simple form without edges. The result was a round solitaire that calmly and powerfully takes up its position in the landscape. Timeless like the walls of the castle, but clearly contemporary in the precision of its design.
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