Graphic Concrete reference Ospedale Giovanni XXIII Chapel wins Supreme Award at the Surface Design Awards
The Ospedale Giovanni XXIII Chapel designed by Traversi + Traversi Architetti and Aymeric Zublena has won not only the category Public Building Interior Surface but also the Supreme Award, the highest recognition, at the Surface Design Awards held yesterday, 12 February 2015, in London.
Construction of this exceptionally beautiful chapel in Bergamo, Italy, was completed last summer. The interior features precast concrete panels with a GCArt&Design™ pattern. The chapel forms part of a hospital dedicated to Pope Saint John XXIII and was designed by French architect Aymeric Zublena together with Italian architects Pippo and Ferdinando Traversi. The chapel was consecrated on the feast day of Saint John XXIII, 11 October 2014, which was also the anniversary of the Second Vatican Council.
The contemporary church makes a strong architectural statement while creating a peaceful space for prayer and contemplation. The minimalist interior features light wood and warm white precast concrete walls with the GCArt&Design™ pattern. Designer of the pattern, Stefano Arienti took his inspiration from the Garden of Eden, as reflected by the flowers, plants and shrubs that are repeated in the pattern. The floral imagery was realised using delicate rasterised images and a dedicated concrete mix-design, creating an overall impression that is light, airy and calm. The natural light that enters the chapel through round openings in the walls and in the ceiling completes the breathtakingly beautiful effect.
“Graphic concrete was an excellent choice in terms of both the theme and visual appearance of the building, as well as from the artistic and economic perspective. The creation of this unique building required precise image processing, rasterising, manufacturing and installation of the large panels,” comments Ivo Allas, Design Director of the Styl-Comp Group, which was responsible for the precast concrete engineering and production.
“This amazing chapel is a true piece of architectural art where everyone can experience enlightenment,” Allas continues.
Location: Piazza OMS, Bergamo, Italia
Architects: Aymeric Zublena and Traversi+Traversi Architetti
Artist: Stefano Arienti
Precast Concrete Engineering and Production Specialist: Styl-Comp Group
Construction year: 2012
Product: GCArt&Design
More information from Tiia-Lila Vuylsteke (tiia-lila.vuylsteke@graphicconcrete.com or +358 40 508 8665).
Graphic Concrete Ltd - Porkkalankatu 11 H 11, FI-00180 Helsinki, Finland - tel 358 9 6842 0092 - fax 358 9 68420091 - www.graphicconcrete.com
Graphic concrete is a patented technology created by Samuli Naamanka that enables images to be transferred to concrete, bringing a sense of softness to the hard surface. The inspiration was to create a truly industrial product for large-scale surfaces – a tool with which architects could be more visually creative.
Finnish company Graphic Concrete has been active since the late 1990s in projects around the world ranging from industrial buildings to contemporary art. The extensive list of references demonstrates the vast range of designs in which architects can use graphic concrete. The company’s aim is to enable architects and designers to realise their visions. The products can be tailored to ensure that each project is unique. Graphic Concrete believes in creating a better environment through the use of graphic concrete.
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