The Chapel Of The Divine Light

For centuries, sacred structures like churches and temples have provided spaces for peaceful reflection, faith, and spiritual renewal. The Chapel of the Divine Light offers a sanctuary of serenity; its simple interior and traditional exterior design convey themes of reconciliation, peace, love, and spirituality. The atmosphere evokes a profound sense of quiet contemplation, fostering spiritual elevation. Architecture transcends mere human dominance; when executed effectively, it forges a legacy, a testament to humanity's enduring presence within the space-time continuum and fosters harmony between humanity and nature. The Chapel of the Divine Light embodies this harmony through its bio-inspired design, seamlessly integrating with its environment. The chapel's core concept is reconciliation: its design reflects reconciliation with the natural surroundings, while its symbolic and philosophical aspects represent reconciliation among people, transcending past conflicts. The design provides a functional and organized space perfectly suited to its purpose, simultaneously serving as a memorial to the past and a beacon of hope for future generations.
Location
Rwanda
City
Rukomo
Year
2019
Status
Design

The design's primary inspiration derives from Rwandan legends detailing the people's origins, the symbolism inherent in historical narratives, and the resulting development of resilient character forged through the balancing of opposing forces – grief and glory, hope and despair, death, and rebirth.

The Chapel of the Divine Light serves as a Catholic church and a sanctuary providing spirituality, serenity, and prayer for all. Importantly, it is a place of acceptance, intentionally bridging differences and welcoming all seeking spiritual growth, regardless of their individual path. Its architecture reflects traditional harmony with heritage, while its inclusive nature invites all in pursuit of enlightenment and divinity. The Chapel of the Divine Light conveys a narrative. Legends detailing the Rwandan people's origins, their creators, and illustrious kings are synthesized within a unified architectural design intended to communicate a message of national unity. A tranquil spiritual pathway, fostering inner peace and its outward manifestation – compassion toward others – as a near-metaphysical ideal in contemporary society, may be realized; however, this is contingent upon the existence of sanctuaries of silent worship, purposefully designed to cultivate serenity. This Chapel constitutes an architectural solution to that imperative.

r (1)
r (6)

The site's topography is integral to fulfilling the project's spiritual and devotional objectives. Nestled within the forest, the chapel's location appears ideally suited to reconnect visitors with nature and facilitate spiritual reflection. Architecturally, the chapel pays homage to pre-colonial Rwandan design, respectfully acknowledging indigenous styles predating colonial influence. This design choice reflects a palpable national desire, particularly in the post-genocide context, to reclaim ancestral heritage and cultural identity. The building's design is inspired by the form of traditional Rwandan round huts, aiming to revitalize a lost architectural heritage. In keeping with the architectural principles of traditional Rwandan palaces, the Chapel adheres to the unwritten conventions of vernacular Rwandan building traditions, which emphasize a village layout composed of huma-scaled pavilions clustered to foster a sense of security and community. The structure comprises a reinforced concrete shell, externally clad in baked bricks and internally lined with reeds. Sustainable, locally sourced materials were prioritized for construction; all materials are readily available within Rwanda, eliminating the need for imports. This material selection aligns with the project's initial concept, which incorporates traditional Rwandan building methods. The reinforced concrete and baked brick structure is designed to meet stringent seismic safety requirements given the region's volcanic activity and seismic risk.

The Chapel's entrance is unconventional. Access requires traversing a subterranean tunnel, symbolizing rebirth, and a fresh start. This design, a unique blend of atrium and parvis, evokes purification and self-discovery. The nave comfortably seats 145 worshippers, facilitating both individual and communal prayer. The presbytery, clearly visible and accessible to the congregation, is designed for the priest and includes an unobstructed celebrant's chair. The Chapel's centerpiece is an altar, prominently positioned for congregational viewing. Construction will utilize volcanic rock derivatives sourced from the nearby Virunga Mountains. The ambo, also crafted from Virunga volcanic rock, is located within the nave, though less prominent than the altar. The design incorporates a sacristy, including a pantry and restroom for the priest, providing adequate storage and service space while maintaining accessibility from both the nave and presbytery. The design's central feature is a moss-covered interior wall, conceived to foster a natural environment for occupants and visitors, blurring the lines between the building's interior and exterior and eliminating the distinction between humanity and its surroundings. The Chapel's design intentionally omits windows, deemed unnecessary as natural light is either present or absent. Small facade openings admit sunlight at optimal times, creating an atmosphere conducive to prayer and introspection. Based on this theory, a dome apex oculus is designed to admit concentrated sunlight into the nave, illuminating the congregation. The landscaped grounds complement the traditional Rwandan architectural style and provide additional seating for outdoor sermons and scripture readings. The Chapel's form mirrors the arrangement of the exterior seating. The design's shapes and layout fully embody Rwandan identity; they evoke, rather than imitate, traditional Rwandan village structures and celebrate the nation's rich history.

The Chapel of the Divine Light is intended to become a regional landmark, a place of contemplation, prayer, renewal, reconciliation, peace, and self-discovery. Its design, rising from and returning to the earth, symbolizes the cycle of life.

r (3)

Gallery

Credits

Architect
NRA Atelier
Project Lead
Nikola Radović
Authors
Nikola Radović, Sonja Milićević, Jovan Balandžić, Nina Simović, Snežana Bulatović
Copyright
NRA Atelier