Seven renowned architects designed contemporary chapels for the Denzel Foundation in the Bavarian Danube Valley, constructed entirely of wood. These architecturally significant and highly visible landmarks in the fields and meadows invite contemplation and reflection.
The chapel near Oberbechingen stands as a striking, square monolith amidst expansive farmland. The structure evokes old barns, reinterpreting them in a contemporary style. The timber frame, including the steep roof, facades, planking, and end-gray floor, is made of local, weathered spruce. The interior is accessed through an inwardly angled timber-framed wall, which shapes the narrow, high space with minimal natural light. Inside, the diagonals of the rafter roof form delicate wooden fan-shaped structures reminiscent of Gothic arches, drawing the eye upward. The combination of intimacy, height, and minimalist design makes this architecture a place of stillness, beauty, and contemplation.
