Site Chapel

Memory

SITE CHAPEL was the theme of the International Architecture Ideas Competition for young architects to develop and present compelling ideas for the design of a chapel located on the Island of Pessegueiro, in Porto Covo, Portugal.

Pessegueiro Island is an important landmark and a place of great cultural heritage and historical importance where the Fort of Santo Alberto and Roman archaeological remains are notable features within this environment.

In generating a vision for an intervention located within such a spectacular setting, it was essential that each design proposal emphasize, respect and celebrate the site and the existing ruins, while providing visitors with a unique experience, with places of stay and calm.
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Proposal

The project is conceived within the site of former stone quarries, utilizing this dramatic landscape as the central focus of the design.

Our morphological approach draws inspiration from the pure forms of the existing quarry rocks and the voids created by stone extraction. By introducing new, precisely shaped blocks of Moca limestone in varying sizes and geometries, all derived from the site's natural rock formations, we create a dynamic interplay of scales and intimate spaces for introspection and contemplation.

The chapel is nestled within a natural cavity in the hillside, a horizontal subtraction that echoes the quarry's extraction processes. The design aims to establish a dialogue with the environment, one that is both iconic and respectful. The trapezoidal floor plan enhances the perspective towards the visual focal point: the altar and a soaring vertical volume. This volume connects the chapel to the mountaintop, serving as a skylight below and a seating area above.
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Inside, a multi-mirror artwork, inspired by Argentine artist Julio Le Parc, generates a captivating play of reflections and visual effects, inviting reflection, silence, and contemplation. The chapel's north wall is punctuated with openings of varying sizes, providing additional natural light and ventilation. The juxtaposition of new stone slabs with the existing island rocks forges a connection between past and present. The project is completed by a new pathway on the island's western side, linking all key points to the chapel site.
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More information

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