A sacred space – whatever your affiliation.
A striking contemporary chapel set between two mountain ranges on a working farm near Worcester in South Africa, created as an inclusive space where people of all religions can find spiritual connection.
The owners’ design brief was to reflect the magnificence of the surrounding location, and reflect words that hold special meaning for them:
“How precious, O God, is your constant love! We find protection under the shadow of your wings”
– Psalm 36:7
Architect Coetzee Steyn of London-based Steyn Studio designed a radical modern space that fits in perfectly on this working farm that has been in the same family since 1831, which produces wine grapes, olives, peaches and proteas.
In addition to the chapel, whose acoustics when it is empty, echo the sound sensation of much older and grander Gothic cathedrals of Europe, Steyn designed the restaurant, Bosjes Kombuis.
With high ceilings, glass walls and a wooden deck, visitors can relax and enjoy refreshments in the tea garden adjacent to the thoughtfully landscaped chapel gardens where only plants that are referenced in the Bible grow.
The universal appreciation of the earth and what it produces, undeniably makes Bosjes a sacred space.
As does the curvilinear roof of the glass-walled chapel, reminiscent of a powerful white bird in flight.
Acknowledgement VISI magazine / Sam Woulidge and picture below by Jan Ras