Metanoia is defined as a profound and spiritual transformation of the heart and/or mind. Through the procession from outdoor to indoor; chaos to tranquility; dark to light, the individual embraces Metanoia through architecture, material, and interaction with the natural elements.

 

The design is located on the historic Via Giulia, in Piazza Moreneta and proposes a minimalistic meditation space for spiritual awareness beyond any lines of a single binding religion. A 30-foot by 30-foot house shaped mass protrudes out of the Earth, as the only point of entry into the main chapel space below, led by tunnels created within the Earth. The four primary materials, Basalt, Travertine, Black Marble, and Carrara Marble, categorize Rome's material typology while simultaneously transforming the application of these vernacular stones into a contemporary aesthetic. The materials are experienced in a chronology of layers, from the basalt paved piazza to the travertine floors, black marble decorates the tunnel walls while Carrara marble becomes the main material for the chapel. From basalt to marble, the individual transitions from natural chaos to a purely mental state of meditation - Metanoia. 

 

Accomplished using Revit, Rhino, AutoCAD, Illustrator, Photoshop

Completed Fall 2017

Team: Catherine Crotty