top of page
MONSERRAT HERNANDEZ
Light - Form & Order
The main goal of this project is to design a non-denominational chapel at Farmingdale State College. This addition to the campus should be a space where people of all faiths can feel welcomed to worship and reflect. The objective during the design process is to mold the walls to ben natural light as needed to create a functional and beautiful space.
Light Background Research
Riola Parrish Church - Alvar Aalto
Located in Riola di Vergato, Italy, completed in 1978, is a powerful expression of Aalto's late architectural philosophy. Being sculptural and harmoniously integrated with nature, it's design carries several symbolic and experiential meanings.
The most striking feature is it's sawtooth roof, which allows natural light to flood the interior from above. Aalto believed in using natural light to evoke spiritual experience, making worship feel intimate and uplifting.
The choice of north-facing windows is deliberate as north light is consistent throughout the day and seasons, providing stable illumination for a sacred setting. However light isn't evenly distributed. Instead, it is composed and directed.
The brightest area is the sanctuary, drawing attention naturally without needing ornate decorations. This also aligns with Christian traditions, in which light represents divine presence. In his work, Aalto channels this symbolism through architecture, letting light "bless" the altar.
Light in the Riola Parish Church is not just an architectural feature, it is the soul of the building. Aalto harnesses it to elevate the spiritual, emotional, and sensory experience of the space. Light guides the eyes, quiets the mind, and evokes reverence. It replaces grand iconography with natural wonder, making the ordinary divine and turning architecture into a form of prayer.
Contextual Analysis
Farmingdale State College
Sun Diagrams
Spring
Fall
Summer
Winter
Preliminary Sections
Site Selection
Hierarchy:
Main Chapel
Memorial Chapel
Meditation Chapel
Secular
Religious:
Main Chapel
Memorial Chapel
Meditation Chapel
Secular:
Secretary Office
Clergy Office
Conference Room
Library
Storage
Bathrooms
Floor Plan
Memorial Chapel
Main Chapel
Library
Sec.
Office
Storage
Office
B.R.
Conf.
Room
Clergy
Office
Office
Storage
B.R.
Meditation Chapel
Circulation
Meditation Chapel
Elevations
North East View
South West View
North West View
South East View
Render
Main Chapel
Meditation Chapel
Memorial Chapel
bottom of page