The Human Cause – part one

marvin-0465.jpg

[Image: Kids at play in front of the CCV Chapel]

Tim McKeough [a freelance writer on all things architecture, arts, culture & design] reports in the September 2008 issue of Metropolis on the CCV Chapel, by Brooklyn, NY based Stan Allen Architect. Project lead Carlos Arnaiz was a volunteer for the Chosen Children Village [CCV] Foundation while growing up in the Philippines. The foundation, which works with children with disabilities, is a non profit and reached out to Arnaiz once they found out one of their own was an architect. SAA jumped at the opportunity to work on a project with limitations varying from the funding of the project to the zoning of the project in the town of Silang [located in a major seismic area]. As a classic example of great architecture at work, SAA circled through all the plausible outcomes and finalized upon a gem that cost in its totality around 250,000 dollars.

ccvweb2-left.jpg

[Image: Building cross section]

At nearly 2,600 square feet, the concrete building has no incorporated HVAC systems or even glass or glazing enclosures. Instead, the concrete takes on the form or a stone-carved sculpture – a monumental form with openings on all walls [including the tanguile-slatted entry doors] whose curvilinear wall mimics a church organ in a way. As stated by Stan Allen [and a hint to all you first year architecture students struggling with designing your outdoor spaces out there]

It’s really more of a pavilion than a buliding…It’s not separated from the environment, and the wind blows right through. It was an opportunity to make a very elemental piece of architecture – it’s just about the space, the structure, and the light.

marvin-2-6-fixed.jpg
[Image: Interior saturated with natural light from 'interlocking finger' wall]

Creating a project for next to nothing [in this day and age] is next to impossible without weakening either the projects final form or visualized potential use. The SAA design in my own opinion amply achieves both – holding interest in the envelope and interior space, remaining user friendly for the kids of CCV and those of the community, and staying to a modest budget. Donating one’s talents and time is rare. What has resulted is simply siiick.

marvin-2-fixed.jpg

[Image: Exterior view of 'interlocking finger' wall]

marvin-2-76-adjusted.jpg

[Image: Interior view of chapel space]

.:You can check out Tim’s full article here->

All images courtesy of Marvin Dungao/ Stan Allen Architect. More on the Human Cause to come…peace ninjas and ninjettes.

Share this post:
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • MySpace
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • email
  • StumbleUpon

Related posts:

  1. The Human Cause – part two
  2. Human-Powered Water Pump
  3. Canadian Museum for Human Rights
  4. Peter Zumthor : Bruder Klaus field chapel
  5. Piano to build at Ronchamp – WHAT?!!?!?!!

Posted: October 8th, 2008
at 1:36pm by Dubs


Categories: architecture, featured ninjas

Comments: No comments



 

Leave a Reply