The Human Cause – part one

[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.

[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.

[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.

[Image: Exterior view of 'interlocking finger' wall]
[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.
Related posts:
- The Human Cause – part two
- Human-Powered Water Pump
- Canadian Museum for Human Rights
- Peter Zumthor : Bruder Klaus field chapel
- Piano to build at Ronchamp – WHAT?!!?!?!!
Posted: October 8th, 2008
at 1:36pm by Dubs
Categories: architecture, featured ninjas
Comments: No comments















