Cheia de Graça Chapel is inserted in the Imaculada Chapel, in Braga.
The project focused on the restoration of the Imaculada Chapel and the high-choir, transforming it into a reserved space for the inhabitants of de Seminary – the Cheia de Graça Chapel. The total ceiling height of the intervening space and the outer walls of the room were taken advantage of, leaving the existing “skin” of stone that manifests around the chapels in a sculptural away
The Chapel erected in wood, from the support structure to the planes conferring the space composed of several pieces of wood, fitted together, creating a balanced structure that manifests as a forest at the entrance of the sacred space. Its canopy creates a space dedicated to the inhabitants of the Seminary and its trunks a filter between the profane space and the sacred space, allowing the visitor to surrender to the space, surrender to the dimension of senses.
A concrete vault surrounds the chapels, imposing itself simple, light and suspended in space, defying its own materiallism. The openings in the dome that extend through its concrete walls create moments of openness, filtering the sunlight and granting a «quiet» accuracy and greater dignity to the structural elements of the roof. The vault creates, along with the remaining elements, a space of absolute “restless silence” remitting to introspection.
This concrete dome has a thickness of 12cm and it is supported by a steel structure almost imperceptible to the observer, allowing it to appear suspended.
The space is also endowed with an acoustic superior quality, its composition of acoustic sandwich panel on the roof and the elongated form of the dome allow for better performance. This brings another level of spatial interpretation, allowing space to be manifested by sound, creating a dialogue between space and the user. Because of this vault, Cheia de Graça Chapel assumes a circular form favoring the meeting, privacy and introspection to the inhabitants of the Seminary.
In the background, a marble slit rises, backlit naturally, transporting the viewer to another physical and spiritual dimension.
Thus, by its composition and scale was given to this space a level of superior intelligibility and a spiritual dimension, allowing the dialogue between space, the individual and the divine.
Text by Cerejeira Fontes Architects
Hisham A. Alsager Cardiac Center is the most recent project developed by AGI Architects, an international design firm founded in 2006, with offices in Kuwait and Madrid.
Located in Kuwait, one of the main objectives of this medical building was to create a positive space, able to act, not only as a medical center, but as a local with social activity.
From the outside, the volume established a relation between the patients, the medical centre and the environment, like a cultural and social infrastructure.
The materials were chosen to provide a high sustainable performance to protect of harsh weather of Kuwait.
The facade is marked for two large red openings, creating the access to the building.
Being a Cardiac Center, the starting point for this design project was the anatomic scheme of the heart. Inside, the central atrium was designed like a heart.
This Cardiac Center, more than a hospital to treat patients, sought to promote a positive atmosphere, with natural light where they feel at home.
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