Guest Contribution by Pascal Panagiotidis

Farewell Chapel is OFIS’ new project located in Ljubljana, Slovania. It is placed at a hill-foot right next to the Krasnja’s cemetery. 

The architects had to face the challenge of meeting the local community’s expectations on a strictly low budget. It’s more than that: the chapel should be integrated into the landscape and keep it’s scared character. It should be also able to provide enough space not only for the facilities but for the people attending the ceremony as well.
 
Using polished concrete, larch wood and glass, OFIS Arhitekti created a chapel that follows the lines of the landscape trajectories around the graveyard. There are three curved walls which embrace and divide the programs. The external curve divides the surrounding hill from the chapel plateau whilst the internal curve embraces the main farewell space. Services such as storages, wardrobe restrooms and kitchenette are on the inner side along the wall. A cross that lays on the roof sparks light in night time and allows the light to enter during the day. But the Cross is not just  a way to “communicate” with the outside but also reminds the religious character of this concept.

some moredetails by OFIS Arhitekti

• A farewell chapel is located in a village close to Ljubljana.
• The site plot is next to the existing cemetery. The chapel is cut into the rising landscape.
• The shape is following the lines of the landscape trajectories around the graveyard.
• Three curved walls are embracing and dividing the programs.
• External curve is dividing the surrounding hill from chapel plateau and also reinstates main supporting wall.
• Services such as storages, wardrobe restrooms and kitchenette are on the inner side along the wall.
• Internal curve is embracing main farewell space. It is partly glazed and it is opening towards outside plateau for summer gatherings.
• Roof is following its own curvature and forming external porch.
• Catholic sign is featured as laying cross positioned on the rooftop above the main farewell space.
• It also functions as luminous dynamic element across the space during the daytime and lighting spark in night time.
• Materials are polished concrete, larch wood, glass.

CREDITS

Farewell Chapel 2005-2009
Inner space: 70m2
External plato: 65 m2
Budget: 180.000 EUR
Design team: Rok Oman, Spela Videcnik, Andrej Gregoric, Janez martincic, Magdalena Lacka, Katja Aljaz, Martina Lipicer