Our Lady Of The Southern Cross Chapel

by Branch Studio Architects

A series of smaller structural walls link the Chapel to the surrounding context such as nearby ovals & wetlands, basketball courts and back up a main promenade towards the entry of the school. These smaller wall elements also create a defining programmatic configuration of 3 main internal spaces:

1. Entry & Isle
2. Seating & overflow area
3. Administration, Performance & Reflection.

A singular programmatic ‘pod’ contains storage, w/c and offices. A large, curved sliding door defines a flexible performance space for musical and theatrical performances when required. The pod can be read externally in the façade through a rich, patina of copper cladding emerging from under the metal clad ‘big canopy’ / roof that ties the internal spaces together as a singular form.