ArchShowcase 
Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. Livereds Kapell in Mölndal, Sweden by KebonyMarch 11th, 2015 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: Kebony For the first time, Kebony’s wood has been used in an ecclesiastical façade for a new chapel which opened this autumn 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.  Image Courtesy © Kebony
 Image Courtesy © Kebony 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.  Image Courtesy © Kebony 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.  Image Courtesy © Kebony 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.  Image Courtesy © Kebony The chapel is a non-denomiational building, it therefore had to be designed to accommodate both believers and non-believers. The ceremonial room has a space suitable for all religions and the direction of the room falls along the east-west direction, towards Mecca.  Image Courtesy © Kebony Christer Malmström, project architect said: “The building can be said to be strongly influenced by the Asplund and Lewerentz Woodland cemetery chapel in Stockholm.We looked hard for a wood that could be ready for use from day one without requiring treatment or ongoing maintenance. Early on we decided upon using Kebony as it aptly fulfilled all of the requirements of shape, durability and appearance.”  Image Courtesy © Kebony Adrian of Kebony said: “This project is Kebony’s first foray into ecclesiastical architecture, its modern look and durable, stable features are entirely appropriate; another example of Kebony’s diverse applications. Churches and buildings of worship have evolved and responded to changing beliefs but they have always formed a prominent and enduring feature of local communities and the resilient Kebony cladding will preserve this chapel and protect it from extreme weather. ”  Image Courtesy © Kebony Kebony Technology The Kebony technology is a patented process which enhances the properties of non-durable wood species to give them similar characteristics to the best performing woods. Through a sustainable process wood species such as pines and some non-durable hardwoods are impregnated with a bio-based liquid derived from agricultural crop waste. With the addition of heat the furfuryl polymer is permanently grafted into the wood cell wall resulting in greatly improved durability and dimensional stability.  Image Courtesy © Kebony Kebony Wood Kebony is suitable for both internal and external applications that demand high performance and great aesthetics including: decking, flooring, cladding, roofing, windows, indoor and outdoor furniture. Over time Kebony acquires its characteristic silver-gray patina whilst not losing its performance characteristics. With improved durability and dimensional stability Kebony is becoming increasingly the choice of leading architects and developers enabling them to use wood in projects without causing environmental degradation. Kebony has been used internationally in projects from commercial, public, residential and marine, for example Hunter’s Point in New York, the Mary Rose museum and both residential and commercial buildings on the UK’s seafront. A recent study by Norwegian environmental consulting firm Bergfald& Co demonstrated that Kebony has a substantially lower carbon footprint than its tropical hardwood equivalents.  Image Courtesy © Kebony
Contact Kebony
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|||||
|
|||||
email
Facebook
Twitter
RSS Feed
