Divine Design
19 June 2007
| Location: | Glenorchy, southern Tasmania |
| Country: | Australia |
| Client: | Dominic College |
| Architect: | DesignInc Tasmania |
| Awards: | COLORBOND® steel Award and Public Architecture Award 2007, Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA) |
Four years after being destroyed by fire, Dominic College Chapel in Glenorchy, southern Tasmania, has risen from the ashes with an award winning design, mixing the spiritual with eye catching, contemporary architecture.
Described as 'an intelligent use of steel', by the RAIA jury, who awarded it this year's COLORBOND® steel Award and Public Architecture Award, the project represents a great piece of design work that complements the natural beauty of the site.
The chapel sits at the apex of Dominic College where it is a central link for the school community as well as boasting an impressive view of Mount Wellington. Designed by DesignInc Tasmania, the structure maximises spanning potential with a distinctive cranked steel frame, which opens up a huge column free view for Chapel users.
The view to Mount Wellington provides a backdrop to the alter in the main chapel. A smaller chapel is created in one corner of this space by the opening of a wall panel. A second and third chapel open out through folded, sliding doors onto a landscaped amphitheatre where services can be held for up to 1,000 people.
Externally, cladding made from COLORBOND® steel in the colour Surfmist® is set perfectly with a restrained palette of stained timber panels and glass, giving a striking yet cost effective building form.
"The materials selected were critical to the whole concept's success," said Project Director Elvio Brianese. "Internally we used materials that supported contemporary spiritual worship. Externally, we needed materials that suited the tough school environment and were easy to maintain. They needed to be malleable, allowing us to twist the cladding into the desired shape."
"Also, COLORBOND® steel was selected for texture and colour because it accentuated the shape of the building and complemented existing building fabric and surrounding gum trees."
Final touches to the chapel will be completed by the Dominic College community working together to re establish the ceremonial rose garden and recreate the 'Stations of the Cross', a graphic depiction of the last days of Christ.
According to Elvio: "Steel has played an important and integral part to the project's success. The strongest element of all is the landscape itself, the constantly changing weather across the mountain is a reminder of the primary reason for this place of worship."
Photography by Peter Whyte
