Physical Motifs of Religion
Religion is an expression of social cohesion, it helps maintain solidarity through shared beliefs and rituals. Religious morals and norms have shaped the lives of people for times immemorial. The effect of religion on architecture is visibly imminent throughout history.
In the past, faith was interpreted in a straightforward sense, through concrete representations of the aspects of a religion. In today’s context, it is possible to exhibit our faith and beliefs in a symbolic capacity.
As art is capable of creating visible images of stories, myths, and dreams, architecture is capable of reflecting the ideologies of people’s culture. Intangible aspects of religion are manifest in the architecture of religious structures in some form.
In the past, replication of the forms and beliefs of religion was widely practiced. But the present is enamored with technology and advancement, the way of representation can be more cerebral and convoluted.
How do we embed religion in buildings of today?
Reviving worship in modern times
The structure and spatial layout of a religious complex are dependent on the evolution of cultural patterns. They are intricate, impressive, and monolithic structures built by humanity. But after lasting for centuries, some of these structures are deteriorating, marking an end to the story of a once existent timeline.
Whitby Abbey church is one of the oldest churches in existence. It belonged to a 7th-century Christian monastery. The abbey has been the picturesque setting for various forms of art like novels and paintings. The shell of the church remains, and the actively decaying structure has managed to guard its allure, making it one of the most visited tourist spots for years.
While the main structure is sustained by its ruins and many allied activities on the ground that has benefited from the location’s popularity, the site is missing a place of worship that was the original occupant of the area. The ruins stand as a representation of the rich religious background of the abbey and this effect can be re-built.
Brief of the Competition
The Monastery church was rebuilt in the Gothic style of architecture in the 13th century. The shell was in the process of being built but it was weakened due to the erosion from wind and rain. The church has carried its legend for over 700 years now, and it is time to continue the story through a contemporary structure of this day.
Brief: The challenge of the competition is to design a chapel on the grounds of the Whitby Abbey inspired by the church on-site, but suited to the 21st-century context.
The aim of the challenge is to revamp the traditional chapel design and create a new structure that is set in a well-preserved and historically significant context. The visual impact must be exemplary with standout features.
The construction must have minimal impact on its natural environment. Hosting a public function, space must promote safe interaction among people with access to all faiths and communities. The design of the new chapel must be in harmony with its surrounding landmarks.
Design Objectives
•Condensing: The aspects of religion must be embedded in a modern way.
•Linking: The new construction must not diminish the old ruins and neighboring heritage sites. The ruins of Whitby Abbey church are the source of inspiration, but mimicry is to be avoided.
•Eco — Sensitivity: The site area is popular for eco-tourism and hence the chapel design must be reflective of this.
•Aging: Religious sites are intended to last for expansive durations and their eventual aging must be addressed.
Site
There are many historic (Christian) chapels in England that are commonly part of complexes of diverse natures. These small places of worship can be found in faraway areas and their function has evolved from being religion-based to more of a prayer service area open to all faiths.
The site is located on the grounds of Whitby Abbey. It is situated on the East Cliff above Whitby in North Yorkshire, England, a center of the medieval Northumbrian kingdom. It overlooks the North Sea. The Whitby Hall banqueting house is located next to the ruins of the abbey, consisting of a site museum.
During the dissolution of the monasteries between 1536 and 1545, the abbey and its possessions were confiscated by Henry VIII. It was shelled by German cruisers in 1914, during which it sustained substantial damage. Its ruins continue to serve as a landmark for sailors at the headland. In the 20th century, the ruins of the church were declared and protected as a Grade I listed building. The site for the chapel is beside the Whitby Winery part of the estate.
•Site area = 1030 sq.m
•Height restriction = 10 metres, participants can choose to go underground.
•Maximum Builtup Area = 515 sq.m
•Ground coverage = 20%
Setbacks (as per CAD plan)
•Coordinates: 54°29'18.8"N 0°36'19.9"W
Originally published at https://uni.xyz.
