The Chapel

The project was initially a submission to an architecture competition organised by the foundation "Dr Milena Dalmacija" that wanted to build a chapel at the university campus of Novi Sad (Serbia) dedicated to students who died in a tragic fire. The project was later developed into a bachelor thesis.

For this design, the plot chosen used to site a church that was part of four main religious buildings in Novi Sad, whose position formed a cross on the map of the city. Due to flooding, the original building was destroyed and removed, but the plot remained an important social monument. Thus, it was important to study orthodox chapels’ typology, but also other religions’ chapel typology, so that an all-inclusive design can be developed. The research led the design to focus on a key concept central to all typologies: privacy in prayer and its various levels.

The new chapel takes on a neutral rectangular shape and is divided into three spaces. Each space represents a different level of intimacy. The first space, being the largest and brightest, was envisioned for everyone; the second, slightly smaller and darker, was envisioned for those who wished to light a candle and contemplate more privately; while the third space, the smallest and darkest, was for one individual at a time and intended for private reflection.