AWARDS
STUDENT WORK
HONOR AWARD
The Sliding Chapel Byblos , Lebanon
Kieran Donnellan + MEDS , Design and Fabrication Dublin , Ireland
The Sliding Chapel is in the ancient citadel ruins complex in Byblos , a UNESCO world heritage site . It sits on a slope above a cliff and is a space for contemplation , offering a place to rest and reflect . The placement of the chapel also encourages visitors to explore the site . The sliding effect of the building highlights the precarious nature of the cliff-top site and the ruins ’ instability , raising awareness of the care required to maintain historical sites . The wood charred from recycled crates gives the pavilion a rugged , aged appearance akin to the ruins and lends it a dynamic quality that resonates with the eccentric form . The project was built during MEDS , an international event aimed at design students , graduates , and professionals .
Jury Comments The Sliding Chapel appears very contemporary , while its materials suggest a very ancient building , making it wholly appropriate for its site . A collaborative project achieved by a cohort of people at various stages in their careers as designers and architects symbolizes what can be achieved through international cooperation .
Conor De Burca Photography
Dominican Convent in Nisida Islet Naples , Italy
José C . Díaz Linares , Designer Canary Islands , Spain
According to the designer , the Dominican Convent project addresses the place of this ancient institution in the 21 st century . The buildings are located at the top of the island to take advantage of the views and serve as a public space platform . Five volumes emerge from this platform : church , library , chapter house , refectory , and cells . Spaces between these volumes frame the views . Part of the convent is covered by a light wooden lattice structure that attracts the eye and gives shade to the square . The cloister has a singular place in the heart of the building , notes the designer , “ where one can hear the waves of the sea , touch the limestone , and feel the warmth of the sun — a place to reconnect with yourself .”
Jury Comments The Dominican Convent student project is built upon a precipice where one might contemplate life ’ s more significant questions while providing a place for social interaction in the religious community . It suggests the same risk to the spiritual life through seduction by the sublime , as explored in the novel and film Black Narcissus .
Image by José C . Díaz Linares
24 SACRED PLACES • SUMMER 2021