The new chapel, set within a vineyard in South Africa, is designed by South-African born Coetzee Steyn of London based Steyn Studio. Its serene sculptural form emulates the silhouette of surrounding mountain ranges, paying tribute to the historic Cape Dutch gables dotting the rural landscapes of the Western Cape. Constructed from a slim concrete cast shell, the roof supports itself as each undulation dramatically falls to meet the ground. Where each wave of the roof structure rises to a peak, expanses of glazing adjoined centrally by a crucifix adorn the façade.

Drawing poetic inspiration from Psalm 36:7, the crisp white form is conceived as a lightweight, and dynamic structure which appears to float within the valley. A reflective pond emphasises the apparent weightlessness of the structure. Elevated upon a plinth, the chapel rises from the flat land its sits upon, providing a hierarchical focal point within its surroundings. New planting including a vineyard and pomegranate orchard create a lush green oasis on the otherwise exposed site.

Inside, a large and open assembly space is created within a simple rectangular plan. Highly polished terazzo floors reflect light internally. The undulating whitewashed ceiling casts an array of shadows which dance within the volume as light levels change throughout the day. This modest palette of materials creates a neutral background to the impressive framed views of the vineyard and mountains beyond.

In order to keep the structural form of the roof and assembly space pure, other elements of the buildings functional programme are either hidden within the plinth, or discretely within the outer corners of the surrounding garden.

Inspired by the simplicity of the Moravian Mission Stations established on Cape Dutch farms in the 19th Century, the chapel lacks a spire – relinquishing a sense of significance in relation to its impressive natural surroundings.

An open embrace which invites in, the chapel is also a space that extends outwards into the valley and mountains beyond, raising the awareness of God’s creation in the immediate environment.

The intricate roof of the Bojes chapel measures 20 meters long by 12 meters wide and 6 meters high at the top apex. The professional and project team selected shotcrete as the chosen project construction with a 1:50 concrete demo ‘cup’ constructed in the PERI Cape Town yard.

Its serene sculptural form emulates the silhouette of surrounding mountain ranges, paying tribute to the historic Cape Dutch gables dotting the rural landscapes of the Western Cape. Constructed from a slim concrete cast shell, the roof supports itself as each undulation dramatically falls to meet the ground. Where each wave of the roof structure rises to a peak, expanses of glazing adjoined centrally by a crucifix adorned to the façade. 

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The architect met with the PERI team two years prior to the project to discuss the project. Based on PERI's past success on similar projects, a formwork solution was found to be viable.

The intricate chapel roof is 20m long x 12m wide and 6m high at the top apex.

It was agreed that a 1:50 concrete demo "cup" was constructed in the PERI Cape Town yard. The professional and project team were involved with the process and shotcrete was selected as the chosed product. The concrete demo proved invaluble in the planning of the project.

Notes:  20m x 12m with 6m height Intricate roof design  Customized girder trusses  GT24 Girder  MP Towers with MRK frames  Quickstage Shoring support  4mm and12mm Plywood