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University Avenue, Palo Alto, California 94301 650.321.6118
sa@studioatkinson.com
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Saint Jude Mission Chapel - Alamogordo, New Mexico (under construction)
design architect: Stephen Atkinson associate architect: Boyd Architects, El Paso, Texas bronze liturgical object artist: Christian Hecksher
The main facade of the chapel features masonry pylons. The bell tower and cross base are meant to be proportionally related. The bronze cross is meant to appear light and contrast the heavy of the chapel.
Two inspirations for the chapel are fairly arcane. (left) a rear view of an early church by Alvar Aalto has two towers of proportional relationship. Likely this wasn't intentional by Aalto as one appears to just be an incinerator chimney, but I still find proportionally-related captivating. (right) An early Christian basilica in Trier is an enormously, heavy-looking pile of bricks; however, in contrast there is a very delicate-looking, gold-leafed cross on top. (at least it was gold-leafed when I saw it in '98)
In the sanctuary, there is a main, central skylight; however there is also a secondary, perimeter lighting between the ceiling and the wall.
This perimeter skylight was inspired in part by the Domus Aurea of the House of Nero. In it, there is a pantheon-like occulus letting in light; however, there is also light allowed into the perimeter "rooms".
The central skylight is meant to reminiscent of gold-mosaiced domes, perhaps of Byzantium. In this case the gold ceiling floats with no apparent support.
The floor plan is meant to be both of a centralized layout and a pinwheel layout. This is a similar diagram and effort as in my Laurien House.
The gold in this case is gold-anodized aluminum panels in four different finishes (i.e. brushed, satin, etc.) to give a variegated look.
An interesting view into the attic of the chapel showing the structural apparatus necessary to achieve the floating ceiling. Note: the actual light itself is let in via standard acrylic domed skylights.
Reproductions of Byzantine icons were commissioned for the chapel. Knowing the intended locations inside the chapel ahead of time, I delineated the exterior brickwork to express the icons on the exterior.
I hope it is not insensitive to say, but I thought of the icons similar to the historical phenomenon of the stigmata.
A range of acid-etched bronze liturgical objects were also commissioned for the chapel. The artist/craftsman was Christian Hecksher.
Candle trough.
Wall-mounted tabernacle.
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St. Jude Chapel featured in 1000 Architects, a directory for architects around the world.
St. Jude Chapel wins AIA award from the El Paso chapter. Jury head: Antoine Predock
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