BAR 423: INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE 3 GROUP 6 PRESENTATION: SPORTS CAFETERIA AND TERRACE ADULT PUB/BAR DISCOTHEQUE RELIGIOUS SANCTUARY GROUP MEMBERS: KARIUKI CAROLINE WANGUI: MUTERO NJERI: OBILO YURI OBARA: PIGOTT SHAWREN KATANU: B02/0760/2010 B02/35582/2010 B02/0777/2010 B02/37539/2010
RELIGIOUS SANCTUARIES: LOCAL CASE STUDIES 1. HOLY FAMILY BASILICA BRIEF HISTORY: -The parish is the cathedral of the archdiocese of Kenya. -It was built in the 1940 s and 50 s. - The structure of the current church was constructed by a British firm, Mowlem construction International while the architectural work was designed by Mrs. Dorothy Hughes of Hughes & Polkinghorne Architects. The church as it stands today has a sitting capacity of 3000-4000 people.
TYPICAL LAYOUT OF A CATHOLIC CHURCH: Laid out following the shape of a cross. 1. NARTHEX: Vestibule/Entry or foyer before entering the main part of the church. Can be an outside porch like structure or an interior space usually a double volume. Usually separated from the body of the church by a screen or door. Its role was to help elevate the mind before entering the church. 2. NAVE: The main body of the church where the congregation sits and stands. Consists of pews or benches and kneeling benches though in some churches these are deemed unnecessary. The nave usually has an aisle on one or both sides and one in the middle. 3. TRANSEPT: This is the crossbar intersecting the nave. The liturgy is supposed to be celebrated facing east therefore the left of the transept is called the North transept and the right is called the South transept irrespective of where the east actually lies. 4. CHANCEL: This normally consists of the main sanctuary and the choir seating. It is used to be separated from the nave by a railing but in more mordern churches the railing has been removed and the altar pushed forward to meet the nave.
5. SANCTUARY: The sanctuary consists of the altar, the tabernacle which holds the Blessed Sacrament and the apse which is the semicircular termination where the altar is located. 6. VESTRY/SACRISTY: This is where sacred vestments and liturgical vessels are stored. It usually has two entrances, one for entry and one for exit of the priest. In the sacristy you will find the sacrarium which is a special sink with a pipe that bypasses the sewer, unlike an ordinary sink, but instead goes straight into the earth. This sink is made thus to preserve the dignity of sacred things which can no longer be used. Eg: the sacred vessels are rinsed there so that no particle of the consecrated Host or no drop of the Precious Blood will end up in the sewer.
The Basilica contains: A main altar with a large sanctuary Two side altars Eight side chapels Four confessional boxes Sitting capacity of 3,000-4,000 people A crucifix behind the main alter An icon of the holy Family Adoration Chapel The grotto The main space is the apse. It is the brightest area to bring everyone attention to focus on it.
The altar: Ceramic tiles are used on the floor around the main sanctuary near the altar. The podium is carpeted to distinguish it from the rest of the floor. A crucifix is placed behind the altar. Flowers adorn the area around the altar.
Large panes of stained glass bring in light in a diffused manner. Around 5pm the effect of the colors of the stained glass can be seen clearly across the surface Historically the stained glass was meant to have patterns of the saints as it was meant to show forth the saints through light, a metaphor of Christ illuminating them and their virtues. This was meant to have the effect of raising the congregations mind to God. In modern times, modern shapes and abstract forms are used which just shatter and distort light, to produce different effects and is meant to depict a heavenly glow or ethereal effect.
Vent blocks in different designs form one surface of the walls, along with stained glass windows.
Concrete ribbed ceiling. The catholic church attaches meaning to various parts of the church building. For example, the roof symbolizes charity which covers a multitude of sins, the vaulting represents the preachers who bear up the dead weight of man's infirmity heavenwards.
Overhead ambient light fixture Fluorescent tube lighting.
Spotlight used above the altar.
Wood paneled doors. Terrazzo and ceramic tiles are used.
Wooden benches/pews are the main furniture in the church.
2. NAIROBI BUDHIST TEMPLE. The temples of Buddha are designed to symbolize the five elements: Fire, Air, Earth, (square base of temple), Water and Wisdom (pinnacle on top of temple). The main sanctuary of a Buddhist temple is called the Buddha Hall and is generally the most imposing structure. The hall has a long, sloping roof with gently prominent supporting columns THE MAIN SANCTUARY The Centre is located Loresho, just a few miles away from the city centre. The centre was built by the George Phylnormel Foundation in memory of Mr. George and Mrs. Norma Perera. The premises consist of a residence for monks, a Meditation hall and a traditional Stupa.
Fluorescent down and up lighters used as accent lighting. Spot lights used to illuminate the altar. -No clutter -Few colours to help you find harmony -Main point of focus Inside the main meditation hall. A statue of Buddha sitting in a lotus position is normally the main point of interest. This is usually at the center of the altar which is slightly raised. The altar usually faces north. Lighting is used to enhance this area. The main colors are normally green, orange and yellow. Symbolic art adorns the walls of the praying areas. Rich paintings depicting the life of Buddha. Flowers are normally placed on the altar (presence of nature)
Worshippers sit on low cushioned benches. They can also sit on the floor. Wall mounted light fixture with sodium lamps. Ceramic tiles used on the floor. A carpet is also placed under the seating areas.
The altar is raised by only one or two steps. The monks seated on cushions on the floor as well. Ceramic tiles are used on the floor.
RELIGIOUS SANCTUARIES: INTERNATIONAL CASE STUDY ST MORITZ CHURCH IN AUGSBURG, GERMANY. This was a Baroque styled church that was remodelled in a minimalist and mordern way. White is the main colour used and his forms a distinct contrast with the dark stained wood of the pews. A lot of the ornaments and sculpture were relocated to give a clean spacious feel. There is a strong forward focus on the apse as the main space. The altar has been brought forward into the nave bringing the liturgy closer to the people.
The apse is the brightest space and is designed as a room of light followed by the nave where the altar now sits. Lighting in the side aisles is more subdued, where clerestory windows which formerly used to illuminate the artwork provide light for this area. At night, illumination comes from LED lights which are concealed in the apse, at the base of the column in the nave and in rings around the dome overhead.
Slices of finely veined translucent white stone (onyx) were laminated to glass and installed in the windows in the apse. This was to screen out direct sunlight and bathe the space in a haze of diffused luminescence. These windows function architecturally as a source of light and liturgically as an expression of the threshold to transcendence.
The floor and the altar are finished in Portuguese limestone.
Side chapel where recessed accent lighting