Rene van Zuuk is one of the recent winners of a competition to develop architecture in and around the Weerwater lake that's at the heart of Almere, a 36-year-old Dutch city on the edge of Amsterdam. The architect designed a curved structure called Weerwater Chapel that sits on the surface of the lake. It's accessible via a long walkway out onto the water.
Based on the building's location, it could host a variety of activities for people of different religions and cultures. “This is a function that is part of every full-grown city but not yet available in the centre of Almere,” Van Zuuk tells Dezeen. “It is a place close to the city hall for the people of Almere to be able to get married but also close to the hospital where people can mourn. It is a location for the Christmas nativity scene in December, and a quiet place for reflection and small services throughout the rest of the year.”
The chapel's exterior will be constructed out of foam that's cut with a CNC machine and covered in zinc. A petal-shaped opening and narrow glazing across the roof ensures that there'll be ample natural light to cast a warm glow on the plywood interior. With its modern, stunning appearance, Van Zuuk's creation is sure to become a treasured locale for the relatively young city.
Rene van Zuuk website
via [Inhabitat and Dezeen]
