© Carlos Berrios
- Architects: Ricci Architetti Studio
- Location: Managua, Nicaragua
- Architect In Charge: Donald Ricci
- Area: 125.0 sqm
- Project Year: 2016
- Photographs: Carlos Berrios
- Collaborators: Xavier Largaespada, S.Obregon, Marvin Bojorge, Patricia Benavidez, Ramón Huertas, Marcos Delgadillo.
- Model: María Dolores Fonseca
© Carlos Berrios
Spiritual refuge for visitors, perpetual adoration and includes traditional religious ceremonial activities.
The materialization entails 2 moments:
-Cosmic idea
-Physical construction
© Carlos Berrios
Genesis 1.2. : “The Spirit of God descending like a dove swept over the face of the waters”.The characteristics of the pigeon are: gentle, tender, graceful, innocent, soft, peaceful, pure, patient, easily grieved or scared and faithful.
© Carlos Berrios
The White dove of the Holy Spirit, simple, contemporary, of pure volumes, in harmony by formal contrast to the towers of the existing hospital, joint from the central courtyard; with fluent Access from the main lobby, new lobby, cafeteria, Pediatrics and parking lot, Golden users (wheelchair, among others), can move freely by all internal and external spaces.
© Carlos Berrios
The floorplan layout corresponds to 10 m x 10 m symmetrical square. Each of its vertexes is oriented towards a cardinal point. It is preceded by an elongated foyer that serves as a connection between the exterior and the interior which guarantees privacy. This foyer is of low height averaging 2.30 m, which makes an asceding funnel effect whenever you access the main threshold into the interior of the chapel.
Plan
An interesting phenomenon is the natural lighting, inside the incidences constantly vary according to the time of day, this is achieved through skylights and due to the curved covering. The thin Windows absorb light forming a sense of spiritual twilight.
© Carlos Berrios
The exterior of the Chapel is sober of a cold white color, the vegetation was designed with flowers of the same color; and species as plumeria pudica and alba, flowers characteristic of the tropical climate including – Sacuanjoche – the national flower of Nicaragua. All these details create an effect of peace and tranquility.
Section
In the inside, materials and elements of warm color welcome the visitors. Accents in details of wood desings in furniture and floordecors. The colors ochre, red wine, purple and white each correspond to symbols related to the Holy Spirit.
© Carlos Berrios
In the carpentry works of the ceiling, the interwoven wood planks provide continuity to the curved covering. They represent branches of olive trees from which handcraft balsa wood pigeons dangle.
Section
The slender structure with capacity for 84 people, was built from Cemex reinforced concrete, of 4000 PSI, + grade 60 steele. With a maximum height of 14.50 m, settled by a large white cross on its Summit.
© Carlos Berrios
The majority of the work has been carried out with Nicaraguan materials, accessories and labor.
Criteria of design that were applied: rhythm, contrast, asymmetry, equilibrium and an aggregate of national identity.
© Carlos Berrios
Sig Nordal 