Grief Reconciliation Hope

Rwanda Chapel

Historically, Rwanda’s three ethnic groups have been identified with distinct aspects of the economy: the Tutsi with cattle, the Hutu with the land, and Twa with the forests.

Grief and death are represented by the atrium entrance sequence as the visitor descends into the ground and travels through an elongated triangular space lined in reclaimed brick salvaged from former churches that were destroyed during the conflict.

Reconciliation is represented by the nave, choir and presbytery organic shape. Thecongregation is invited to sit in semi circular benches within a cocoon like shell using the indigenous construction techniques of local wood structural members clad in woven grass mats and thatch. The seating is the focused both on the cross while giving fellow congregation members a peripheral awareness of each other.

Hope is represented by the cross. The cross itself is visually composed by the horizontal crossbeam at the eastern end of the nave and the vertical pine tree trunk, combining man-made with nature to form a symbol of Hope where humankind cancoexist with each other and nature.

ARTWORKS/FURNITURE DESIGN

(Individual Works)