capela-imacÂuÂlaÂÂda / CereÂjeira Fontes Architects
DesignÂer | AntoÂnio Jorge de Moura CereÂjeira Fontes | |
LocaÂtion | BraÂga, Portugal | |
Design Team |
António Jorge de Moura Leitão CereÂjeira Fontes |
|
Year | 2015 | |
PhoÂto credits |
Joaquim Félix |
|
PhoÂto external
Project descripÂtion
The ImmacÂuÂlate ConÂcepÂtion is withÂin the SemÂiÂnary of Our Lady of ConÂcepÂtion, locatÂed in Rua de S. DominÂgos, MunicÂiÂpalÂiÂty of Braga.
The proÂposÂal focused on the rehaÂbilÂiÂtaÂtion and restoraÂtion of the chapel, the reconÂstrucÂtion of the choir.
For this restauÂraÂtion, total height of space was regained by using the walls of the pre-existÂing limÂits of the chapel.
The walls surÂroundÂing the chapel were left stripped revealÂing the existÂing stone which would now be viewÂable. To accenÂtuÂate the height of the space a new conÂcrete dome with a thickÂness of 12cm was susÂpendÂed on a steel strucÂture with openÂings that manipÂuÂlate the exteÂriÂor light.
The existÂing roof was replaced with acoustic metÂal panÂels that increased the sound qualÂiÂty along with the conÂcrete dome that enables betÂter perÂforÂmance, risÂing and echoÂing the chants and prayers. This acoustic perÂforÂmance brings anothÂer levÂel of spaÂtial interÂpreÂtaÂtion that allowÂing the space to manÂiÂfest the sound and creÂatÂing a diaÂlogue between space and the user.
There is a tear in the alter wall covÂered with a transluÂcent marÂble panÂel that lights the granÂite alter susÂpendÂed over a pool of water. The alter becomes a divine eleÂment that hangs in the sacred space.
The choir replaced by a timÂber strucÂture, conÂsistÂing of sevÂerÂal wood columns creÂatÂing a forÂest at the entrance of this sacred space. This forÂest creÂates a reserved space dedÂiÂcatÂed to the inhabÂiÂtants of the Seminary.
IllusÂtraÂtive project report
DownÂload report
TechÂniÂcal drawings