#PUBLIC ARCHITECTURE PROJECTS
shinslab iisac envisions light of life church surrounded by trees
located in the middle of a village for retired missionaries, the ‘light of the life’ chapel designed by korean studio shinslab iisac is nestled into the bori mountain in gapyong near seoul, south korea.
the project was initiated by the protestant and presbyterian community nam seoul grace church, and it will serve as a place of contemplation and prayer every day of the week.
the building seeks to echo the surrounding nature by reducing the impact of the built mass, and uses reflective and transparent materials such as glass and polycarbonate. the space of worship is covered by a hemispherical dome, with its surface formed by cut red cedar trunks that stand upright like the trees of the forest.the circular worship space represents the communion of the faithful, the equality of men in front of god and the abolition of hierarchy within the church. in the center of the circle there is a cross, which was designed to be thin, fragile and precious. it is constructed from massive aluminum and seems to emit both a suffering, while at the same time due to its sheen surface, the joy of the resurrection. similarly, the circle symbolizes a universal priesthood that allows all to celebrate a personal encounter with god.
