blankpage-archiÂÂtects / Lebanon
DesignÂer | Walid GhanÂtous — Patrick Mezher | |
LocaÂtion | Jounieh — GAF BuildÂing — Lebanon | |
Nation | Lebanon | |
Design Team |
Walid GhanÂtous |
|
Year | 2018 | |
PhoÂto credits |
Patrick MorÂcos — Majd Achi |
|
PhoÂto external
Project descripÂtion
LocatÂed in a site steeped in hisÂtoÂry, the chalÂlenge conÂsistÂed of impleÂmentÂing a new largÂer church withÂout overÂshadÂowÂing the smallÂer 18th cenÂtuÂry chapel with its limeÂstone vault structure.
RecÂogÂnizÂing the hisÂtorÂiÂcal valÂue and promiÂnence of its neighÂbor, the new church humbly adopts a low proÂfile at the entrance which gradÂuÂalÂly risÂes as it reachÂes the altar wall. It simulÂtaÂneÂousÂly conÂstiÂtutes a backÂdrop and an exterÂnal amphitheÂater which highÂlights and inteÂgrates the old ediÂfice withÂin the ritÂuÂals of the sacred ceremonies.
With its inteÂriÂor height rangÂing from 3m to 10m, the church enables a tranÂscenÂdenÂtal spaÂtial expeÂriÂence that is furÂther enhanced by a large skyÂlight locatÂed at the apex where a sunÂset light of varÂiÂous intenÂsiÂty washÂes the rear wall above the altar and creÂates the atmosÂphere of the church.
A cross is carved into this large wall as a negÂaÂtive imprint that opens the church to the light of the risÂing sun in the east.
The roof of the church, an outÂdoor amphitheÂater casÂcadÂing down towards the hisÂtorÂiÂcal ediÂfice, is susÂpendÂed between two monoÂlithÂic fair faced conÂcrete skeleÂton, puncÂtuÂatÂed by two big olive trees, ready to be covÂered with layÂers of green climbers.
RisÂing indeÂpenÂdentÂly in the midÂdle of the court, a steel bell towÂer exhibits itself between the conÂcrete strucÂture and the limeÂstone chapel with a bell insertÂed withÂin the cenÂter of the cross.
Above everyÂthing else, the old chapel remains the proÂtagÂoÂnist that defines the new church.
ExplanaÂtoÂry report of the project
DownÂload report
TechÂniÂcal drawings