PROJECT Eye Of The Vortex Interfaith Chapel

LOCATION Sedona, Arizona, United States. 

PROJECT COMPLETION DATE  5/12/2016

PROJECT CATEGORY  Community College / Design Project

PROJECT TYPE  Studio

ENTRANT  Dan Lorenzana
TEAM MEMBERS  

SCHOOL  Anne Arundel Community College

FACULTY SPONSOR  Michael Ryan, Professor / Architecture

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT

The project is a non-denominational worship and meditation space set in a natural environment of the students’ choice. The goal is to develop a space that is universal and encourages connections between individuals and the between individuals and the environment. The design should strive to create a sense of spirituality, peace and contemplation through light, scale, form and nature. Designs should demonstrate a responsible relationship with the environment through the use of sustainable and recycled materials and alternative energy sources. The complex is to be used by all for worship and a variety of structured activities including religious services, weddings, funerals, memorial services, rites of passage and individual contemplation. Site considerations include the relationship of the chapel to its natural surroundings, site topography, orientation relative to environmental and landscape features, and the nature of the procession from the outside to the chapel.

STUDENT'S STATEMENT

Sedona, has long been known as one of the most spiritual places in the world. There are several energy vortices around the site that create an uplifting experience. These concentrated energies can be used to facilitate prayers, meditation, mind/body healing and exploration of the soul and divine. This energy is the reason why people come to Sedona “that are on path” to have a commitment to growth and become spiritual. The relationship with the Chapel and portal symbolize a vortex starting with a curvilinear path and arriving a full “vortex” structure. The parti diagram is based on spiritual symbol called Unalome, where one continues down a wandering path and becomes more conscious of surroundings until one reach the final destination (vortex) where they have reached ultimate enlightenment. As one goes through the structure, the main chapel is located in the center to symbolize the “tornado/hurricane” eye element of peace. The overall shape of oval oriented to utilize the natural daylighting and also for passive solar energies. The structure is supported by FSC heavy timber for sustainability purposes while complementing the natural color of the surrounding features. The project is designed under LEED v4 and is proposed to achieve a platinum rating. The design uses a sustainable strategies as solar, water, wind strategies, and thermal mass features. The site is located in Climate Zone B5 and would comply with the regulations of 2015 IECC.

IMAGE CAPTIONS & CREDITS 

IMAGE 1:  View from the portal to chapel entrance.

IMAGE 2:  Aerial View

IMAGE 3:  Chapel Interior Sanctuary View

IMAGE 4:  View of the Chapel Entrance

IMAGE 5:  Main Lobby Interior View

IMAGE 6:  Section Cut with Sustainability Features

IMAGE 7:  Interfaith Chapel Floor Plan

MEDIA FOR DOWNLOAD

Project PDF