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plex with the long student's block to the north and the priests' and nuns' blocks to the west and south, the whole linked by covered, cloister- like walkways the chapel, with its dominating roof and its circular shape strongly contrasting with the low recti-linear shapes of the other build- ings, emphasises the central place it occupies in the seminary life.
This circular design, which falls into line with the latest ideas on liturgy, also places the altar in the centre of the chapel* both stressing its importance as central to worship and religious life and giving the wor- shippers on all sides an uninterrupted view.
the
The copper roof, which follows a vertical accent to incorporate the spire, is as much the focal point in- side as it is from without, Laminat- ed wood beams drop down from the centre in a natural curve and light from the steel and fibre-glass spire falls on an altar canopy of the same materials. At night this process works in reverse as a light in the canopy focusses on the spire.
The four buttresses of the chapel which radiate at angles of 45 degrees are of red scrubbed concrete, while on three sides curtains of glass, which comprise the walls, drop down from a concrete ring beam to the basement which looks out on sunken gardens.
The idea is that, eventually, the plants grown there and in the sur- rounding courtyard, will form the real walls of the chapel. The fourth wall is in fact the main door. or sapele mahogany, its six panels, carv- ed by a Zulu carver of Hlabisa mis- sion, depict the Crucifixion. St. Peter, and John the Baptist, etc.
Bare Interior
The buttresses house the two stair- cases, which lead down into the base- ment, the organ and a Lady altar; but for this and the Blessed Sacrament altar, which is temporarily placed in- conspicuously against the north wall, the interior is bare of ornament and embellishment. The High altar is of red granite surmounted by a simple cross, striking in its simplicity.
The Stations of the Cross, which are usually placed within the church. are here outside the chapel in an ad- joining walk-way. Of moulded con- crete coloured with red oxide, they are the work of a well-known African artist. Sydney Kumalo, and blend in concept, colouring and style with the rest of St. Peter's which, despite the predominant use of concrete, reflects from every side the warm, natural colours of the surrounding veld and gives the whole a surprising intimacy.
Of their commission the architects say that they were asked to design a building to accommodate 200 stu- dents each with his own room, quar- ters for the lecturers, a convent for
* Not an ideal solution for a parish church perhaps but in this case the Rector. Fr. Oswin Magrath, requested that the altar be centrally placed to gather the students around the altar.
LAYOUT
A
F
H
F
G
E
D
entrance driveway, B main entrance, C parlour plock (lounges, office, art rooms, etc.), D Fathers' block, E sisters' block, F kitchen, laundry and dining rooms, G lecture rooms and library. H students' block, I — to swimming bath and volleyball, J to tennis courts and field, K — chapel, L — sunken brick "courts", M covered walkways
Far East Architect & Builder September, 1965
Detail of canopy and "spire"
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