A black chapel between the forest and the vineyards

In the surroundings of Brescia, Italy, Studio associates has built a tiny laic chapel made of black wood.

Studio associates designed a laic chapel in Botticino, near Brescia, for a local association that deals with the socialization issues of teenagers with mental disabilities. The project, named Chapel of Silence, is a contemplative building that lies amid a forest and a vineyard. The construction has been possible with a participatory approach, together with a group of selected students.

Img.1 Studio associates, Chapel of Silence, Botticino, Brescia, 2017
Img.2 Studio associates, Chapel of Silence, Botticino, Brescia, 2017
Img.3 Studio associates, Chapel of Silence, Botticino, Brescia, 2017
Img.4 Studio associates, Chapel of Silence, Botticino, Brescia, 2017
Img.5 Studio associates, Chapel of Silence, Botticino, Brescia, 2017
Img.6 Studio associates, Chapel of Silence, Botticino, Brescia, 2017
Img.7 Studio associates, Chapel of Silence, Botticino, Brescia, 2017
Img.8 Studio associates, Chapel of Silence, Botticino, Brescia, 2017
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Img.12 Studio associates, Chapel of Silence, Botticino, Brescia, 2017
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Fig.14 Studio associates, Chapel of Silence, Botticino, Brescia, 2017
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Img.22 Studio associates, Chapel of Silence, Botticino, Brescia, 2017
Img.23 Studio associates, Chapel of Silence, axonometry, 2017
Img.24 Studio associates, Chapel of Silence, plan, 2017
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Img.26 Studio associates, Chapel of Silence, section, 2017
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Img.28 Studio associates, Chapel of Silence, study models, 2017
Img.129 Studio associates, Chapel of Silence, study models, 2017

The choice of the material, which is painted-black wood, gives to the building an abstract feel. The whole body of the building – an elemental shape with a pitched roof – seems to be fluctuating given that it is perched on a slightly smaller base than the building itself. A first monolithic piece of Botticino marble is placed next to the entrance and has a triangular cavity on top made to collect rainwater. The interior space is divided in two main rooms: the first has a lower ceiling and a small squared window-frame with a view on the forest. The second room is considerably wider and its shortest side is only closed by a curtain, hanging on a portal, cantilevering towards the slope. This side faces the second white monolith, which stands against the green backdrop of the forest.

The Chapel of Silence by Studio associates, 2017  

  • Chapel of Silence
  • Botticino, Brescia
  • Studio associates
  • Edil3 Costruzioni
, Torri Silvano
  • Alberto Tosoni, 
Alessandro Tarolli, 
Chiara Vulcano, 
Elena Pellizzer, 
Federico Strada, 
Francesca Kiprianidis, 
Gino Baldi, 
Giuseppe Sorrentino, 
Maria Savastano, 
Nicolò Garonzi, 
Serena Comi
, Silvia Diomedi, 
Simone Volpi, 
Susanna Parlato, 
Valentina Almerico, 
Valentina Monteverdi
, Valentina Raggi
, Valentina Solano
  • Angelo Archetti, 
Laura Boldi
, Marco Bottazzi
, Massimo Berlinghieri
  • 2017