In this piece of research will explore the St. Moritz church by John Pawson. I am writing about it because I am gathering information for my architecture project which is a multi faith center and this church is one of my inspiration
St. Moritz Chapel, designed by John Pawson, is located in located in Augsburg, Germany. The artwork mirrors the peaceful beauty of the area and captures the interaction between nature and human influence in a harmonious manner. Pawson's minimalist style aligns with St. Moritz's cultural importance as a playground for the wealthy, combining modern simplicity with the traditional grace of the region. The piece embodies the attraction of this famous place, drawing from its special mix of sophistication and natural beauty.
John Pawson is famous for his minimalist style, which emphasises simplicity, clarity, and a focus on the fundamental elements of design. The St. Moritz Chapel primarily uses white concrete, aligning with the minimalist aesthetic to create a sense of unity and purity in design by eliminating unnecessary visual clutter (Etherington 2013). In addition, large glass panels allow natural light to flood the interior space and connect it with the surrounding landscape. The white concrete is a prominent material used in the construction, aligning with the minimalist aesthetic and offering a clean, unadorned appearance. The texture of white concrete adds a tactile quality to the surfaces, enhancing the visual appeal. Large glass panels promote transparency and connection with the natural landscape, allowing for abundant daylight to create a luminous atmosphere within. The treatment of the apse windows represents the culmination of a wider strategy for light, whose aim is to achieve a clear distribution of light, with the apse as the brightest area in the church (Etherington 2013) Wood is used to add warmth and contrast to the predominantly white palette. The flooring, likely made of stone or other natural materials, plays a crucial role in grounding the space. Metal might be used for functional elements such as door and window frames if necessary. Overall, these carefully chosen materials align with John Pawson's minimalist design philosophy and contribute to creating a serene and uncluttered environment while establishing a connection with the surrounding landscape.
The colour palette of the chapel is predominantly monochromatic, emphasising a limited range of colours such as white and neutral tones to convey serenity and simplicity. Natural light and shadows are used to create depth and interest within the simple colour scheme.The clean lines and geometric shapes contribute to the simplicity of the architecture. The spatial arrangement fosters openness by eliminating unnecessary partitions and minimising visual distractions while featuring minimal ornamentation.
John Pawson's design of the St. Moritz Chapel demonstrates a thoughtful approach to spatial qualities, successfully achieving a balance between openness and intimacy. Several factors contribute to these spatial qualities. The chapel's layout is characterised by clean lines and a straightforward geometric design, which creates a sense of expansiveness. Pawson's minimalist approach, with its emphasis on simplicity and the removal of non-essential elements, enhances the perception of space. Large glass panels play a crucial role in promoting openness by allowing unobstructed views of the surrounding landscape, connecting occupants with nature and flooding the space with natural light.
John Pawson's design philosophy is primarily focused on minimalism and essential elements, but the St. Moritz Chapel may still have symbolic elements that contribute to its function as a place of worship and reflection (hicarquitectura.com, 2023). Pawson's approach involves reducing design elements to the most fundamental, so any symbolism present is likely to be subtle. The church has undergone a sensitive refurbishment, conscious of respecting the building’s sacred atmosphere (Divisare, 2018). Here are some potential aspects to consider: The chapel's spatial orientation could have symbolic significance, such as its alignment with specific views or natural elements. The abundant use of glass in the chapel can symbolise transparency and illumination, while the choice of materials and colours may also carry symbolic meaning. The form and shape of the chapel may hold symbolic meaning, representing stability, harmony, and order. The integration with nature and spatial arrangement can also have symbolic implications. Overall, Pawson's design choices aim to create an environment conducive to worship and reflection, with spatial qualities and potential symbolic elements contributing to a serene atmosphere that encourages contemplation, prayer, and spiritual connection within the chapel's walls.
My project is intended to have a modernist design that breaks away from traditional cathedral architecture. While it is not directly influenced by John Pawson's St. Moritz Chapel, the architecture of the church inspires me as its characteristics align with modernist principles and a departure from conventional religious architecture.
St Moritz's architecture demonstrate a departure from traditional cathedral designs through its use of innovative and unconventional geometric shapes. Pawson often employs simple geometric forms in his designs, focusing on clean lines and minimalism, which can be a good thing to incorporate into my own design.
The St. Moritz Chapel is known for its integration with the surrounding landscape achieved through extensive use of glass, fostering a connection between the interior and the natural environment. Similarly, I would like my project to integrates with its surroundings, allowing natural light to flood the interior and creating a dialogue between the building and the landscape. Pawson incorporates extensive glass surfaces to allow natural light to permeate the interior at St. Moritz Chapel, while I would like to replace by innovative stained glass to filter and diffuse sunlight, creating a dynamic and contemplative atmosphere.
Reference
Divisare. (2018). John Pawson, Fabrice Fouillet · St Moritz Church. [online] Available at: https://divisare.com/projects/388281-john-pawson-fabrice-fouillet-st-moritz-church [Accessed 13 Feb. 2024].
Etherington, R. (2013). St Moritz Church by John Pawson. [online] Dezeen. Available at: https://www.dezeen.com/2013/07/31/st-moritz-church-by-john-pawson/ [Accessed 13 Feb. 2024].
hicarquitectura.com. (2023). John Pawson > St. Moritz Church | HIC. [online] Available at: https://hicarquitectura.com/2023/07/john-pawson-st-moritz-church/ [Accessed 13 Feb. 2024].
This is lacking detail with not a lot of information - did you find out which materials Pawson used in this design? How do they impact the exterior and interior? You don not state where this building is located - how does that influence his idea in terms of sourcing the materials? The interior looks cool - is it deliberately designed for a warm environment?
ReplyDeleteYou only included an image of the interior - it would be good to see the exterior design.
We are coming into Week 6, you have not posted for TWO WEEKS. You have no plan on here, no evidence of development of your project idea. Currently this blog is failing to achieve a pass mark. I suggest you update your blog with the posts missing from the last three weeks before your catch up tutorial in Week 6.