kavellaris urban design: st mary’s kinglake church

‘st mary’s kinglake church’ by kavellaris urban design images courtesy of kavellaris urban design / © peter bennetts

australian practice kavellaris urban design has completed ‘st mary’s kinglake church’, a catholic church located in a rural area of victoria, austrialia. the structure, a low lying but dominant form, was created after a call for reconstruction in an area previously effected by a series of bush fires.

three interlocking volumes are strategically arranged to capture views of the surrounding landscape. ranging in height, shape and color, the composition appears as a cluster of juxtaposing urban materials that stand out against the encompassing environment.

overall structure

the main chapel – the only volume treated in an opposing surface – is orientated in an east west direction and features an entire wall of windows that open onto the valleys in the backdrop. finished in a reflective mirror, the glazed wall maintains a sense of privacy in the internal space and simultaneously reflects the landscape onto the exterior facade of the building.

main chapel

reflective windows

side elevation of chapel

interior view of main chapel

north elevation

site context

floor plan / level 0

elevations from top left to bottom right: north, west, east, south