a beacon of reflection
The roadside chapel is an ancient typology created to service those traveling on long journeys in need of quiet spaces to pray and meditate in solitude. The roadside chapel is situated a short distance off a country road in central North Dakota. The glass brick structure is designed to provide a surreal experience while approaching. When sitting within the structure, the glass brick walls distort the view of the landscape but never fully disconnect the person from their context.
Isometric
Plan
Section A & B
The glass bricks distort people’s perspective of the landscape. When viewed through the glass block, refraction, reflection, and opacity slightly shift how we interpret our context. The chapel’s refractive distortion of the site nudges the worshiper into deep meditation.
Site and Project Info
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Short drive outside of Bismarck North Dakota
Situated Near the Monastery
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Clearly Opaque - Fall 2020 BSAS UWM
Brian Johnsen & Sebastian Schmaling
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515 Autobahnkirche - Herzog & De Muron