Our Lady of Sorrows Chapel

ⓒ Ondřej Bouška

Nesvačilka has changed little since its baroque inception, with its original layout preserving an elevated spot above the village where the settlement naturally ascends and is visible from afar. This site seemed destined to fulfill the baroque ideals of cultivating the land – a land where no forests or rocks are in sight, only soil and fields. The use of natural materials, rare in this region, such as stone and wood, holds symbolic significance: to bring faith into a parched landscape. I chose the concept of a central structure, one that would stand on the hilltop as a beacon, a point of orientation both in space and in spirit.

Our Lady of Sorrows was selected as the chapel’s patroness, symbolising the suffering she endured. Her story and emotions are reflected in the space. The lower section, made of gneiss stones, represents us – stubborn, disobedient, and difficult to mould. From these stones, seven beams rise toward the heavens, symbolising the Seven Sorrows of Mary, connecting us to God. From the sky falls a veil of Mary’s tears, weeping over us. The delicate wooden structure, interwoven with small windows, allows sunlight to penetrate the heart of the chapel at all times. 

The structure blends tradition with modernity. The construction is inspired by medieval building techniques, in dialogue with modern technologies. The floor is made of compacted, rammed earth, while the walls are made of quarried stone. The supporting lamellar structure, made from a thousand wooden elements, traditionally joined with pegs and wedges, was crafted using CNC milling. The fifteen-meter-long beams are hand-arved, freely traversing the space, crowned by a steel spire on the roof. Upon entry, you are greeted by five-meter-high doors, opening into a dynamic space. The perspective of the beams and surrounding structure draws you upward. The chapel transcends time. What you experience is its expression, the play of light, acoustics, and scent. The materials are natural, tactile, and imbued with craftsmanship, aiming to lift you beyond the everyday. A key factor in material choice was the ability to age beautifully, enhancing rather than diminishing their quality over time.

The entire construction was funded by donations, which extended the building time. However, this period allowed me to critically reassess the design and carefully consider the technical and symbolic aspects, ensuring meticulous execution.

 

ⓒ Ondřej Bouška

ⓒ Ondřej Bouška

ⓒ Ondřej Bouška

ⓒ Ondřej Bouška

ⓒ Ondřej Bouška

 

 

 

건축가 RCNKSK

위치 Czech republic, Nesvačilka

대지면적 375 m²

건축면적150m²

연면적 186m²

프로젝트기간 2012-2024

준공 2024

대표건축가 Jan Říčný

협력건축가 Michal Říčný

구조엔지니어 Vít Mlázovský, Filip Chmel

구조 Hanno Burtscher

기초 Miroslav Klein

전기엔지니어 ELSTAR PLUS, s.r.o.

조경 Eva Wagnerová

건축주 The Roman Catholic parish of Moutnice

사진작가 Ondřej Bouška