Saya Park lacked a chapel.

There were plenty of symbols for meditation and introspection, allowing visitors to experience moments of beauty out in the open. 

A space of internal beauty was needed.

The Chapel building tucks into the hillside, opening up to the East and allowing in the light of the new day.

It shares the location with other spaces of great symbolism and emotional significance.

Its geometry is pure, because its function is also pure.

As we enter, we are bathed in light from above that penetrates through a small opening. But its effect, its greatness, is startling.

Intended for Christian worship, it opens us up to spirituality.

Space, time and meditation are great wonders that fit into this little building.

Carlos Castanheira

Architects :

Álvaro Siza

with

Carlos Castanheira

Office in Portugal: 

CC&CB – Architects, Lda.

Project Coordinators:

Rita Ferreira

Diana Vasconcelos

Model:

Filipa Guedes

Nuno Rodrigues

3D Visualisation:

Germano Vieira

Engineering:

Structure:

HDP –

Gabinete de Serviços e Projectos, Lda.

Gross floor area:

32 m2

Model:

HENRIQUES & RODRIGUES, Lda.

Photography:

Fernando Guerra FG+SG