Thisispaper Community
Join today.
Enter your email address to receive the latest news on emerging art, design, lifestyle and tech from Thisispaper, delivered straight to your inbox.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Instant access to new channels
The top stories curated daily
Weekly roundups of what's important
Weekly roundups of what's important
Original features and deep dives
Exclusive community features
Mountain Chapel Vordere Niedere by Cukrowicz Nachbaur Architekten
Sacral Journey
under the patronage of
Alps Guide
under the patronage of
@zaxarovcom
Jun 29, 2020

The chapel designed by Cukrowicz Nachbaur Architekten occupies a grassy, gently sloping hilltop between two walking trails, at the threshold separating cultivated land from the untouched Alpine mountainscape.

The entrance is approached from the northern trail, taking in the dramatic views. Oriented clearly into the surrounding hillside as it steeply falls away, the chapel stands as a sanctum. Entering the chapel means leaving solid ground and ascending into the wooden vessel. The space is insular and silent, composed of a single material. Light filters in through a slot of frosted glass, permanently connecting the chapel interior to daylight and the seasons. This glass element sits flush in the wall, both internally and externally, so the altar appears to stand independently of the nave. A decorative opening above the entrance protectively houses the bell, while the nave is crowned by a cross-shaped window. A single profile is the basis for the chapel’s structure of interwoven timber beams. Standing shoulder to shoulder, the profiles form wall, roof and floor.

No items found.
Join +
We love less
but there is more.
Become a Thisispaper+ member today to unlock full access to our magazine, advanced tools, and support our work.
Travel Guides
Submission Module
Print Archive
Curated Editions
+ more
Buy now
No items found.
@zaxarovcom
Jun 29, 2020

The chapel designed by Cukrowicz Nachbaur Architekten occupies a grassy, gently sloping hilltop between two walking trails, at the threshold separating cultivated land from the untouched Alpine mountainscape.

The entrance is approached from the northern trail, taking in the dramatic views. Oriented clearly into the surrounding hillside as it steeply falls away, the chapel stands as a sanctum. Entering the chapel means leaving solid ground and ascending into the wooden vessel. The space is insular and silent, composed of a single material. Light filters in through a slot of frosted glass, permanently connecting the chapel interior to daylight and the seasons. This glass element sits flush in the wall, both internally and externally, so the altar appears to stand independently of the nave. A decorative opening above the entrance protectively houses the bell, while the nave is crowned by a cross-shaped window. A single profile is the basis for the chapel’s structure of interwoven timber beams. Standing shoulder to shoulder, the profiles form wall, roof and floor.

Architecture
section is proudly under the patronage of:
John Pawson

Independent publications like Thisispaper rely on support by readers and companies to be sustainable.

Current patron of Architecture Section:

If you are ready to book a slot, please use the following link:
Become a Patron

Introducing OS
An intimate space which helps creative minds thrive.
Discover. Share. Embrace.
Thisispaper Shop
Shop Now
Thisispaper+Guides
Discover the most inspiring places and stories through carefully-curated travel guides.
Explore all GuidesExplore channels