Light

Contextual Form and Order

present a main chapel, memorial chapel, and a meditation chapel. The challenge was to integrate a design with curves and bends in order to direct light in ways that add ambiance to each space. No direct light can enter into a chapel, it must be reflected in some kind of way.

The overarching goal for this projects was to design an non-denominal chapel to be integrated into the campus of Farmingdale State College. This project requires three chapels with one being the main space while the other two are sub-spaces. Here I

Background Research and Incorporation of Light

The building that I was assigned for my research was the Convent of La Tourette designed by Le Corbusier. As you will see a lot of my project was inspired by his designs. This building is notorious for the diffusing of light through cannons, reflectors, and small openings. Its also interesting to see how he separates the spaces in the overall layout. He has the sacred spaces in a central location and separates each space with courtyards and long corridors. Its also important to note that he keeps the living quarters on the outside of the place away from prayer spaces. Similar to the design of my chapel, each sacred space is located near one another while all office and utility space is located on the other side of the building.

Light cannons are inspired by the Convent of La Tourette designed by Le Corbusier. This innovative design takes in sunlight and directs it off reflectors placed directly on the other side of them.

Also from the Convent of La Tourette designed by Le Corbusier, these thin openings allow a small amount of light into the space. I placed them high in thebuilding so they can bounce off of a reflector and spread light over a large area.

The Kimbell Museum designed Louis Khan used reflectors on the ceiling to diffuse light. This design takes light from the highest point in the room and reflects it back upward so the light can spread across the ceiling and brighten up the room.

Site Selection

Each chapel is designed to take in and reflect light at different times throughout the day. Looking from a plan view the memorial chapel which is the right most one is designed to take in the rising sunlight that comes in from the east. The main chapel which is the one located in the middle is meant to follow the arch of the sun through the day as it moves from east to west. Finally the meditation chapel which is located on the left takes in the light from the setting sun in the West.

Sorting of Spaces:

Religious:

Main Chapel

Meditation Chapel

Memorial Chapel

Secular:

Clergy Office

Conference Room

Library

Restrooms

Storage

Secretary Office