Chapel of Silence

Botticino, Italy

Photo © Associates

Drawing © Associates

Religious buildings

arkkitehdit: Associates

Year: 2017
Client: iFuori Onda, Gruppo Nulli
Structure: Massimo Berlinghieri, Laura Boldi and Marco Bottazzi

The Chapel of Silence is situated on the border between the vast wild wood that dominates the landscape of the valley in Botticino and a vineyard that slopes down, acting as a threshold element between the two territorial systems. The Chapel is laic, is a place of worship, silence, and prayer, suitable for everyone. Once at the entrance you are welcomed by a monolithic rainwater collector, made of Botticino’s marble, excavated on the surface. The first space of the Chapel leads to a fragment of the wood, framed by an iron opening, that emotionally prepares the “prayer” for what is to come, and introduces a measured bond with nature. The second and main space frames the outer forest and a menhir made of Botticino’s marble. There is no pre-constituted assembly, but only some large leather pillows that may be arranged as desired and a curtain that regulates the levels of intimacy with the outside as required. The study of the shape is drawn from a careful analysis of the local archetypes, in such a way as to form a contemporary element evoking images that are both familiar and part of the collective memory.