Church of light

Location: Ibaraki, OsakaArchitect: Tadao AndoTerm of design: 1989Site area: 838 sq. MeterBuilding area: 113 sq. Meter

Use light in a waythat would strengthenthe power of religion

Concept

The Chapel consist of a rectangular volume of 3 cubes that are punctured by a wall at a 15 degree angle that never actually touches the other walls or ceiling of the chapel.

Size of is 113.3 sq. meters .

The intersecting walls create an entry forecourt, forcing the visitor to take an S turn to enter.

Made of ‘ in-situ’ poured in place of concrete.

The church of the light consists of 3, 5.9m concrete cubes (5.9m wide x 17.7m long x5.9m high) penetrated by wall angled at 15 degree, dividing the cube into the chapel and theentrance area.

The gap in the concrete wall of the cross is 20 cm.

Walls are thick, solid, massive andpermanent.

The main reinforced concrete shell of the church of the light is 15 inches thick.

Circulation into the space is controlled by the angled wall.

Serve as a support space consisting of a gathering area, kitchen, office and storage.

The wall plays a very submissive role in the Sunday school as opposed to its counterpart.

From the street it seems to be areflection of the adjacent chapelWall.

On the other side of the wall in the angled corner is a small courtyard space with a circular concrete bench intended for small gatherings.

South east wall :

The exposed concrete wall has a slit opening (with fixed float glass) in the shape of a cross placed just behind the altar

East Wall:

This is a plain exposed concrete wall with no opening towards the exterior.

North Wall:

The exposed concrete wall is cut through by the splay-wall on the west side. The two walls intersect in a manner that they do not appear to touch one another, making two small slit openings for light that run through the full height of the north wall and help in guiding the visitor to make the entry into the chapel

North wall with the full height slit opening.

West Wall:The west side of the chapel is made up of two intersecting exposed concrete walls. The splay-wall on the west side cuts through the rectangular space in a way that an L shaped entrance sequence is formed on the northwest side of the chapel. The openings on the west side include a full height glazed opening of a considerable size that is cut through the splay-wall. The splay-wall does not touch the ceiling of the chapel thus making a small opening for light on the top as it breaks through the west wall. The main entry to the chapel is through a large rectangular opening on the north side of the splay wall.

The dark brown wooden floor.

Reinforced concrete and wood are the main elements of construction in the chapel.

While the space is primarily defined by the concrete volume, wood is used for all the elementssuch as the tables, pews and floor.

Sunday school , second story allows for a kitchen and balcony above and office and storage space below.

the floor has a gradual slope down towards the altar on the south side. The level change is in terms of small steps in the central aisle