View towards chancel. Round pulpit and extra-long communion table are important visual elements
THE site for the new interdenomina- tional chapel-cum-social hall/office complex recently completed at the Trinity Theological College. Singapore, demanded a structure of simple but distinctive form, yet one which was sympathetic with the existing build- ings and environs.
In their approach to this demand, the architects adopted a basic sym- bolism, taking the Chinese character for 'man' as the form for the chapel. The two strokes form the main struc- tural support for the roof.
The social hall/office component is married into an adjoining residential block and hence becomes a separate architectural entity, but linked to the chapel by a covered 'cloister".
The site is situated on the right hand entrance corner of the college grounds and falls gradually away from the entrance drive. Its other three sides are bounded by Sophia Hall, the re- sidential block on the far end, a basket ball court on the side and Mount Sophia, the main road which is higher than the site on the entrance end.
Symbolism
The Chinese character for man, with the cross placed in the centre has the theological symbolism of alluding that God in Christ meets man at the cross. By using the Chinese character, the form also symbolises that Christ is relevant to this situation and to this time in history.
―
The planning of the chapel has been greatly influenced by the func- tion where the community is ecum- enical in nature and where the worship is a communal act. The plan itself is fairly conventional but the chancel is only 6in. above the nave and the pul- pit is brought forward so as to enable the community to play a fuller part in the liturgy.
000
Other significant features are the big, wide doors all round, which open to the view of the exterior 'to help worshippers to understand life and suf- fering beyond the sheltered walls of the chapel.'
The internal space was designed to reflect the external form. Once inside one is made concious of space and freedom. The space, though high, is
CAR
PARKS
CHANCEL
EXISTING BUILDING
SOCIAL HALL
CHAPEL
DRIVE
▬▬▬▬▬-----
0
10
SCALE
Ground floor plan
--------- op de
CHOIR
↑
TO
CAR PARKS
PORCH
DRIVE
22
Far East BUILDER, March 1970
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.