Project Description
For the first time, Kebony’s wood has been used in an ecclesiastical façade for a new chapel which opened in Mölndal, Sweden.
European churches have tended to use traditional building materials for posterity, permanence and durability, the use of Kebony’s wood in this project allows the chapel a fusion of contemporary style and traditional durability.
The building’s geometry is unusual, its rounded corners and asymmetrical shape meant the choice of material was a challenge. The architects specified a wooden material that would be in both appearance and performance. The chapel sits within a forest, from where peaks of gray, exposed rock are visible through the trees. The Kebony cladding, formed to give a curved, soft edge to the structure, will allow the church to blend with its surroundings as the gray patina of the wood develops over time.
The gray colour of the wood and rock is also reflected in the generous foundations and the base of the church, which are made from concrete. These foundations support the vast building and its textured, gray granite walls. The entrance to the church has a brilliant wooden façade in oiled oak which, sheltered by the roof, will survive without maintenance for a considerable time – as will the Kebony cladding.
The interior is dominated by birch plywood walls and ceilings and the stark concrete base, which is also allowed to feature prominently. Much of the interior is characterised by the translucent, colorless mosaic, which sits directly atop the untreated concrete. Although this design feature was not included in the original plans, it now is one of the primary features of the interior.