is the Chapel of St. Ignatius at Seattle University.
When we moved to Seattle almost four years ago my brother
Pat urged me to visit the Chapel of St. Ignatius. It took me awhile but I
finally got there yesterday. What an experience. I arrived with a class of
architectural students and followed along as the instructor, who had worked
with the architect Steven Holl during design and construction, explained the
thinking behind the design.
The interior space is organized around the concept of “a
gathering of different lights” with light and dark spaces playing off each
other. Holl imagined the chapel as “seven bottles of light in a stone box” with
the color and light constantly changing depending on the time of day, the time
of year, and the weather.
The impact of this amazing space is hard to describe. It is
both exciting and comforting – at the same time. There is an intimacy about the
space that encourages contemplation and wonder. Although each of the spaces
flows into the other, each stands alone.
Photos here from the top are of the front and back of the
nave, the choir, the reconciliation chapel and the Blessed Sacrament chapel
(with a self portrait).
Images taken February 2009
Nice pix- looks very peaceful
Posted by: Christi Gell | February 28, 2009 at 03:24 PM