New
Chapel for Salem AME
Salem, Alabama
bezalel design
Relocation to a building also design by the firm allowed for a combination of
working lab for ideas as well as a showroom of sort for clients. Many ideas from
this project have made their way into other projects produced by the firm because
the client was shown both drawings and actual construction of the ideas. The
studio is completely open with low walled cubicles in order to have constant
communication between team members. Exposed systems serve as a teaching tool
to younger professionals in the office. The studio was located on the north side
of the building in order to benefit from diffuse sun; this daylight scheme, along
with at desk task lighting, works so well that most days the overhead artificial
lightings is never even turned on.
A metaphor of architecture being the weaving together of different disciplines,
systems, and materials is shown in several key elements of the design. A overhead
perforated metal ribbon weaves in between sprinkler pipes, ductwork, and building
structure. The sliding office doors complete with exterior barn hardware have
a carved motif invoking a woven surface. At entry wood ribbons are woven in-between
steel channels to form a screen wall and entry sculpture to the central gallery
which has a continues slide show of the firms work running on a looped projection,
as well as a tack-up and writeable surface wall for presentations and critiques.