When past meets
present
With its striking pitched rooflines, steel skeleton, and expansive use of glass opening to the greater school campus and playing fields, the new Chapel is a thoroughly modern building.
The famous gargoyles have already been repositioned at both ends of the new building. At the eastern end they overlook the memorial cairn, which has not moved from its sacred space, just a few feet from the Chapel. Around 1000 of the original bricks from the Memorial Chapel are also being integrated with the new bricks
The amazing steel structure has attracted a lot of attention from architects and engineers and is unique in design.
31 1000 of the original bricks from the Memorial Chapel have been used in the memorial wall (seen here sitting out) along with beautiful stone works and the ‘gargoyles’.
on the exterior cladding of the new building. Another special feature is the bell tower, which has been constructed in exactly the same location as it was in the Memorial Chapel. Old traditions are also being preserved, with the Preparatory School reinstating the Shrove Tuesday pancake race this year. Chaplain Jillian Fenton says it will be great to bring events like this back to their true home, once the new Chapel is completed. The complex geometry involved in the design of the impressive steel structure has required some clever engineering solutions, which were developed by Holmes Consulting Group. Project engineer Renee Brook says the building has a lot of aesthetic appeal but also performs when it comes to safety and strength. “It is fantastic to be involved in such a unique and striking building. The tricky architecture has made for some complex structural engineering solutions, to create the folded roof structure while providing a large open space underneath. It truly is a
unique building that will stand the test of time.” She says there has been considerable interest in the Chapel from the local engineering community, with many professionals coming to view the building due to its complexity, and as a unique example of church architecture. As the heart of the St Andrew’s community, the new Chapel will be used for services, celebrations, assemblies, presentations, and special music events. It will also be shared with the Village Presbyterian Church and the community. Rector Christine Leighton says it is ‘very exciting’ to have this serene, contemplative space of worship, celebration and inspiration moving closer to completion. St Andrew’s General Manager, David Evans, says landscaping, replacement of the bridge in the Chapel grounds, and a new driveway should be completed before the Centenary in March 2017.
Regulus
Malcolm Bowes, director of Architectus, the firm that created the design, says it was important these features were retained. “One of the key aspects of the design is the memorial wall. It runs the full length of the Chapel on the Normans Road side, and integrates several rooms designed for different purposes. It was important to refer back to the original building in this way and preserve all the key memorial elements, as well as many original details from the old structure.”
Resources and Environment
However, the new spiritual heart of St Andrew’s, which will open on 15 September, also incorporates many important heritage features salvaged from the original Memorial Chapel. Original stonework, stained glass windows, oak doors, ceremonial chairs, the Book of Remembrance, bell, communion table, and baptismal font are all being sympathetically incorporated inside the new building.
