Slawomir Turek Chapel of Reconciliation Tectonic by S.J Turek Architecture

Chapel Of Reconciliation Precedent Study AR6004 The Practice of Making Architecture Yutong Wang Viruth Shane Purichanont Tainรก Zagonel Slawomir Turek 09 December 2013

AR6004 The Practice of Making Architecture Chapel Of Reconciliation Precedent Study

CONTENTS INTRODUCTION RAMMED EARTH STRUCTURE 1.1 : Overall Strategy STRUCTURE 1.2 : Load Bearing Elements STRUCTURE 1.3 : Primary & Secondary Components ENVELOPE 2.1 : From Roof To Ground ENVELOPE 2.2 : Where Column Meets Beam ENVELOPE 2.3 : Where Column Meets Ground ENVELOPE 2.4 : Where Balcony Meets Wall ENVELOPE 2.5 : Exterior Membrane Meets Ground SERVICES 3.1 : Natural Ventilation SERVICES 3.2 : Natural Lighting SERVICES 3.3 : Artificial Lighting

1 AR6004 The Practice of Making Architecture Chapel Of Reconciliation Precedent Study

INTRODUCTION

Chapel Of Reconciliation The following document is a precedent study of the Chapel of Reconciliation in Berlin, Germany. Peter Sassenroth and Rudolf Reitermann were responsible for designing the chapel in 2010.

Berlin

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Chapel Of Reconciliation

Chapel Of Reconciliation Site Map * Not To Scale

2 AR6004 The Practice of Making Architecture Chapel Of Reconciliation Precedent Study

INTRODUCTION PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

The Site The Chapel of Reconciliation is located at the place known as “No man’s Land.” Previously it was the location of the famous Berlin Wall which separated Germany into east and west. During the Second World War the old church was partly demolished from the Ally air strikes.

Images Describing Site Qualities & Excavation Process *Source : http://www.kapelle-versoehnung.de/

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Axonometric Projection Showing Relation Between New Chapel And The Old Church

The chapel takes on the name of the demolished Church of Reconciliation and connects it with the mission of reconciliation at a place in the former death strip of Berlin Wall. The Old Church of Reconciliation was completely demolished in 1985. After the demolition of the Berlin Wall there became a necessity of creating another congregation point for the people. Rudolf Reitermann and Peter Sassenroth were appointed to build the new chapel. The new chapel is built on the foot print of the old Church of Reconciliation. The architect’s idea was to create a place of contemplation and devotion, a new place of reconciliation that would sit on the remaining of the old church. The new chapel is situated in the corner of the old church where the altar used once stood. The architects erected the niche of the old altar which stands out as a light well and window shaft. The oval east-facing core of the chapel of solid rammed earth which is enclosed by axially translucent shell sits on top of an old staircase of the old church.

Image Of The Old Church

*Source : http://www.kapelle-versoehnung.de/

3 AR6004 The Practice of Making Architecture Chapel Of Reconciliation Precedent Study

INTRODUCTION

Front Elevation Of The Building

*Source : http://www.architectuul.com/architecture/chapel-of-reconciliation

Exterior Core Of The Building & Corridor

*Source : http://www.architectuul.com/architecture/chapel-of-reconciliation

Interior Core Of The Buidling

*Source : http://www.architectuul.com/architecture/chapel-of-reconciliation

4 AR6004 The Practice of Making Architecture Chapel Of Reconciliation Precedent Study

RAMMED EARTH

Moist Earth

Timber Frame

Mixture of sand, gravel, clay and brick excavated from the old church

Frame work is built and a layer of moist earth is filled in

Material

The outer timber frame keeps the reinforced plywood inner frame from expanding.

The moist earth is being compressed by pneumatic backfill tamper

Next layer of moist earth is added

Material characteristics of the used rammed earth

Pneumatic Backfill Tamper

A machine that helps to compress the earth within the frame

The process is repeated until a successive layer of moist earth is added and compressed

Visible Layer of The Compacted Earth

Frames are removed from the rammed earth and the rammed earth is left to dry

Rammed earth in the process of compression. Framed in reinforced plywood and timber

Reinforced plywood with timber shell that supports the structure and prevents it from expanding

*Source: http://www.kapelle-versoehnung.

A separate approval process was required for the rammed earth construction. This was the first time that the municipal authorities and structural engineers in Berlin had encountered the technique. Among the conditions they imposed were structural safety standards seven times higher than for conventional buildings. The required onsite supervision and scientific support was provided by the Technische Universität Berlin. 390 ton of soil from the environs of the city were processed in three months. Brick rubble from the historic structure was blended into the rammed earth mixture as a symbol of remembrance. The horizontal layers and the homogeneous interplay of the earth colours give the interior space an atmosphere of tranquillity, contemplation and seclusion, which is further enhanced by the skylight. The rammed earth floor, treated with poured asphalt, expresses the connection to the soil. The building materials - untreated wood for roof and building skin, rammed earth for the massive core are a reflection of the client’s conscious rejection of the original plan for a structure of steel and concrete. This historic site, where profound tragedy, but also perseverance and survival are manifest, was not to be “sealed” either in design or in material. Instead, the goal was to employ minimal gestures and ephemeral materials to inspire remembrance and contemplation. At the same time, the building was intended to resonate with the fragility and vulnerability of peace and reconciliation. The modest combination of wood and rammed earth corresponds to the concept of an open “cage” - reinforced only in isolated points of past and

*Source: http://www.kapelle-versoehnung.de/

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STRUCTURE 1.1 : Overall Strategy

1. Main Entrance 2. Corridor 3. Entrance To The Chapel 4. Staircase To The Balcony 5. Chapel 6. Altar 7. Access For Priests

West Facing Elevation Scale 1:20

Ground Floor Plan Scale 1:20

South Facing Elevation Scale 1:20 Structural Model of The Rammed Earth Wall & Timber Frame 6 AR6004 The Practice of Making Architecture Chapel Of Reconciliation Precedent Study

STRUCTURE 1.1 : Overall Strategy

The Rammed Earth Core The Chapel of Reconciliation is of rammed earth and timber construction with copper roof. The core structure is rammed earth and is constructed of remaining hard material from the old church. The oval rammed earth wall is situated on a reinforced concrete slab cast on top of the remaining of the old church. The rammed earth is designed to provide the primary structural support for the 600mm walls. The walls are responsible for holding timber beams and roof structure. The beams are supported by the rammed earth wall as well as separate timber columns on the outside.

Built on top of an existing foundation of the old church. Used left over material for rammed earth wall construction

Cast reinforced concrete on top of the old church, framed within a timber framework

Rammed earth wall creates the main core for the building. Made of compressed sand, clay, brick and gravel excavated from the old church

This appropriation of history using contemporary means does not stop at the choice of building materials. The floor is of compounded loam and the shell, a good half a metre thick, is enriched with brick fragments and strengthened with flax fibres. This is a product of the ecological logic, motivated by Franciscan idealism, of the client.

South-East Facing Facade

The rammed earth core is protected by an outer shell of horizontal louvres. Roof is covered with copper sheets, with equal spacing to allow stretching and shrinking in temperature changes

While the southern wall slowly changes colour in the sloping light from grey to green-yellow and brown. The nucleus of the chapel, from which only the anthracite coloured boxes of the entrance and the niches protrude is protected at a distance by a second shell. The floor of poured asphalt, nine frames with uprights and beams of pine and a curtain of horizontal louvres of Canadian Douglas fir, which will turn a silvery grey colour through the effect of sun and rain, form this oval.

Timber columns and beams compose an outer shell for the building. These elements help to support the timber roof and timber membrane

Timber studs that make up the outer membrane of the building, creating a face that protects the rammed earth wall from the elements.

The vertical wooden structure swings freely around the horizontal loam structure: a loose exterior around a solid inner core. Between them is an airy space, at places larger at others smaller, that invites everyone to steal away for a moment from everyday space and time.

Copper sheet roof fixed on top of the timber structure.

North-West Facing Facade

*Source: http://www.kapelle-versoehnung.

AR6004 The Practice of Making Architecture Chapel Of Reconciliation Precedent Study

Views out towards the entrance receiving light and natural ventilation through the openings in the outer shell as well as skylights.

STRUCTURE 1.1 : Overall Strategy

Reconstructing Reconciliation When designing the chapel everyone agreed and had the same opinion towards the form, but for a long time the clients and the architects argued about the building materials, whether they should be concrete and steel or wood and loam. The decision to build a loam structure was doubtless the correct one in view of the harmony between form and material.

Timber Beams Rammed Earth Wall

Timber Columns

The architects wanted to design a structure that would restore the relation of the community, just like the old church once did. Therefore the choice of material was rather symbolical and sensitive towards the historical significance of its site.

Reinforced Concrete Slab

Old Church Foundation

Section A, Scale 1:150

Ground Floor Plan - Primary Structure, Scale 1:20

Erected timber columns supporting beams which hold the exterior grade plywood base of the roof *Source: http://www.kapelle-versoehnung.

Final construction stage of the compressed wall supported by a reinforced timber frame. The rammed earth sits directly on a concrete slab

Timber beams supported by ply wood from above. They rest directly on the rammed earth wall, supported by a steel wall plate and covered with waterproofing

8 AR6004 The Practice of Making Architecture Chapel Of Reconciliation Precedent Study

STRUCTURE 1.2 : Load Bearing Elements

Load Bearing Structures The Chapel of Reconciliation is built on top of the remains of the old church. This give the new building a solid ground to build on, therefore the foundation did not have to reach far and the walls gain natural stability from the existing site features. The building is not affected by any extreme forces that would react on its structure.

Dead load from structure

Dead load from structure Possible live load

The building is mainly responding to live and imposed load of occupants and furniture as well as dead load from structure. Rammed-earth construction was chosen as building technique for the 7.2m load-bearing interior wall. Because the building technique was not well-recognised, a so-called single case authorisation, requiring a detailed analysis of the material during manufacture and installation as well as the careful supervision of the building process was needed. The main core is composed of clay and stony aggregates of different grain sizes to which a small amount of flax fibres was added. The relations between shearing, tensile bending and compressive strength of the clay tested are similar to those of concrete.

Load Forces Section, Scale 1:150

Primary Structure Components

Live Load: The added weight of possible occupants and furnishing

Secondary Structure Components

Dead Load: The weight of a structure, excluding occupants and furnishing

9 AR6004 The Practice of Making Architecture Chapel Of Reconciliation Precedent Study

STRUCTURE 1.3 : Primary & Secondary Components

Copper Roof Panels

Rammed Earth Wall

Secondary Roof Structure

Primary Building Structure Double Glazed Window (Secondary Structure)

Timber Stud Framing With Plywood Covering

Timber Rafters & Studs

(Secondary Structure)

Primary Roof Structure Tertiary Building Structure

Poured Asphalt Exterior Grade Plywood Secondary Roof Structure Skylight

Reinforced Concrete Foundation

(Not open for ventilation)

Primary Building Structure

Timber Beams & Columns of Pine

Timber Membrane

(Sits directly on top of the rammed earth wall)

Secondary Building Structure

Timber Louvres Supported by Steel Ring

Foundation

Reinforced Concrete Foundation

Roof

Rammed Earth Wall

*Source: http://www.kapelle-versoehnung.

Timber Beams Supported Poured Asphalt For by Columns Floor Finish

Timber Frame Roof

Copper Plate Finish

10 AR6004 The Practice of Making Architecture Chapel Of Reconciliation Precedent Study

Built on top of a foundation of the old church

Reinforced Concrete Foundation

Interior Timber Wall Stud frame wall of the skylight shaft. Creates an inner corridor and threshold for the Priests

(600mm wall width) Made of compressed clay, sand, gravel and brick of the old church and strengthened with fibre flux. It transfers the roofs and interior elements load to the foundation

Rammed Earth Wall

Plywood sheathing fixed directly on top of the timber beams. They cover the span between beams to create support for the roof studs

Stepping Foundation of The Old Church

Water Through

Poured Asphalt

Made of Canadian Douglas fir, the stud membrane protects the rammed earth wall from elements and provides shade.

Exterior Louvre Membrane

Steel ring that runs around the buildings louvres membrane. It supports the timber membrane and prevents it from tilting

Steel Ring

(700x120mm) Helps to direct load from timber roof to the rammed earth wall and timber columns

Pine Timber Beams

Waterproofing purposes. It protects the timber from water and weathering, also helps to direct the water to the drainage system

Parapet Flashing

Used for Illumination and ventilation

Double Glazed Window

Fixed with spacing to allow stretching and shrinking from temperature changes

Copper Roof Panels

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AR6004 The Practice of Making Architecture Chapel Of Reconciliation Precedent Study

Exterior Grade Plywood

Timber Roof Studs

Timber framed roof that rests directly on the timber beams supported by columns

Timber Trussed Roof

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ENVELOPE 2.1 : From Roof To Ground N

Envelope Study, Scale 1:50

ENVELOPE 2.2 : Where Column Meets Beam

Beams The main structural beams and columns create a second membrane of the rammed earth core. They are designed to help transfer the load from timber roof to the ground and reduce load transferred to the rammed earth. Having a strong visual quality the timber membrane is a protective structure that shields the rammed earth from elements as well as supports the main core in bearing the structural load.

Bolts & Steel Plate

Protected by an intumenscent paint fire protection

Plan, Scale 1:10

The rammed earth wall lacking in insulation, benefits from having an additional frame that protects the main space from moist , wind and excessive sunlight. The Canadian Douglas fir as well as pine have good stability, low shock and decay resistance which makes them an ideal timber material to use as an exterior membrane.

Bolts

Used to prevent splitting as a result of large tension, perpendicular to the grain

Steel Plate

Supports the bolts

External Timber Column

(120x120mm) Connected to the timber beams, transfers load from the roof to the foundation

*Source: http://www.kapelle-versoehnung. PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

Timber Beam

(700x120) Directs load from the timber roof to the columns

Diagram Representing Detail Location PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

Front Elevation, Scale 1:10

Side Elevation, Scale 1:10 12

AR6004 The Practice of Making Architecture Chapel Of Reconciliation Precedent Study

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ENVELOPE 2.3: Where Column Meets Ground

Stability of Material The thin and over 9m high columns that hold a heavy load of roof structure require a high stability. Therefore the choice of pine tree was a technical decision as pine is heavy and stiff with good stability material. The timber columns are directed to the ground and sit on a steel foot which connects them to the foundation. The durable steel plate receives the load from the column and directs it to the anchor bolts which are drilled into the foundation. Using this method of construction the architects achieved a high stability and efficient mass distribution of the building.

Timber Column

(120x120mm) Transfers the load from the roof to the foundation. Sits on steel bracket which is cast into the concrete floor.

Plan, Scale 1:5

Glued-In Threaded Rods

A Steel plate that is set on top of the asphalt layer on which the column rests

Anchor Bolt

Weald to the base plate, helps to situate the column in the concrete slab

Concrete Slab

*Source: http://www.kapelle-versoehnung. PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

Base Plate

A steel plate that sits directly on top of the concrete slab which is covered by a layer of asphalt. Holds the bearing plate

Plan Cut

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Diagram Representing Detail Location

Section, Scale 1:5

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Bearing Plate

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Helps to hold the column locked in a position. Approx 100mm length

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ENVELOPE 2.4 : Where Balcony Meets Wall Opening Rammed Earth Wall Gouged Rammed Earth Wall

Used to connect the timber balcony

Timber Guard Rail

Secondary Structures The architects used pine wood and plywood for most of the secondary structures, such as timber frame walls and the balcony. Allowing the previously mentioned stability and strength of material these structures stand of high durability. The balcony on which the organs rest is slot into the rammed earth wall which allows the structure to rest and support itself on the rammed earth. Additional stability and support is provided by a box underneath the balcony which works as an entrance to the chapel.

Timber Decking Board Timber Stud

Interior Timber Framing

*Source: http://www.kapelle-versoehnung.

Poured Asphalt

Foundation Diagram Representing Detail Location

Section, Scale 1:20 AR6004 The Practice of Making Architecture Chapel Of Reconciliation Precedent Study

ENVELOPE 2.5 : Exterior Membrane Meets Ground

Steel Ring

Steel ring that wraps the louvres, slotted between the timber to lock it in place

Bolts

Fix the timber louvres in the right place

Timber Louvres

(60x80mm) Curtain that runs around the building. Protects the rammed earth from the elements

Steel Ring Timber Louvres Metal Connector

Transfers load from the timber louvres to the floor

Metal Bracket

Connects the metal plate to the floor

Metal Plate Connector

Fixes the timber in a position

Metal Bracket

Connects the timber with floor

Plan, Scale 1:10

Layer of Poured Asphalt Water Through Reinforced Concrete Foundation Internal Elevation, Scale 1:10 AR6004 The Practice of Making Architecture Chapel Of Reconciliation Precedent Study

Section, Scale 1:10

SERVICES 3.1 : Natural Ventilation

Natural Ventilation & Insulation

Skylight not available for ventilation

The building is only ventilated through natural means; door openings and windows. There is no proof of any mechanical ventilation being used. The density, thickness and thermal conductivity makes the rammed earth a particularly suitable material for passive solar heating, which might be the reason why there was no mechanical heating or ventilation introduced in the design. During summer season, warmth takes about 12 hours to work its way through a 600mm wall. The building is naturally ventilated through a series of openings in the faรงade and roof which work in a way let fresh air in and control humidity. The rammed earth construction makes the building energy-efficient. Lack of insulation is substituted by high thermal conductivity and an exterior membrane which provides an additional protection from elements and excessive sunlight. High thermal mass is achieved by adding concrete and stony elements to the mixture. The rammed earth being of high thermal conductivity makes the summer heat as well as winter cold penetrate through the facade easily, which give the building a disadvantage in extreme weather conditions.

Diagram Describing Air Exchange In The Building *Not to Scale

Fresh air intake from openings in the walls Air out-take through openings in the roof

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SERVICES 3.2 : Natural Lighting

Sunlight & Humidity The building is designed to let a sufficient amount of direct sunlight and natural light into the building. The lack of any artificial light on the inside of the chapel suggests that the architects well considered the qualities of natural light that enter the chapel. The sunlight is the only source of light as well as heat for the rammed earth core. The rammed earth being of high thermal conductivity allows the heat to penetrate through the faรงade. Excessive heat cannot be controlled, but the high moisture mass, hygroscopic helps regulate humidity of the building.

Diagrams Describing Sunlight Intensity *Not To Scale

AR6004 The Practice of Making Architecture Chapel Of Reconciliation Precedent Study

Diagram Describing Natural Light Intensity *Not To Scale

SERVICES 3.3 : Artificial Lighting

Electricity & Lighting

Spotlights

The only visible proof of any electrical components of the building is a series of spotlights that circulate around the main core. These are likely to be connected to the fuse box on the inside of the building, beside the staircase. There is no proof any other means of service existing in the building; no proof of water runs, heating, or electrical ventilation. The building has low embodied energy and strictly relies on natural means of ventilation, heat and lighting.

Light Switch

Fuse Box

Diagram Describing Wiring & Spotlight Location *Not To Scale

Wiring

Spotlights Illuminating The Rammed Earth Wall *Source: http://www.kapelle-versoehnung.

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