earth chapel is a secluded forest sanctuary in lebanon visualized by JPAG

for its latest visual art piece, JPAG takes viewers to lebanon‘s ozer forest. between the trees is a small clearing and there, in that forgotten space sits ‘earth chapel’. in this short film, JPAG showcases life around the sanctuary, where nature intertwines through the open timber structure. 

short film by JPAG

earth chapel is conceived as a platform, an open structure, and a spatial experience where the community can visually and physically enjoy architecture and nature in one place. the permeable façades bring the surrounding natural environment into the interior of the chapel.

the fictional chapel is designed to translate the purity of the function that it holds. it is composed of a wooden box that appears to hover above the ground and a lightweight concrete slab roof. bound by branches, the façades allow sunlight to sneak in through the cracks. as well as dramatically lighting the religious space, the branches help the building settle into the landscape. 

elevated 1.6 meters above ground level, one can only enter the chapel by bowing their head; as a sign of respect to the holy space. a 1-meter-wide buffer zone is created to separate the outside from the interior, which in a way, serves as a filter between the two ‘worlds’. meanwhile, nature grows inside the empty space, invading the architecture from top to bottom and giving the chapel some sort of natural heartbeat.

the chapel can be placed in any forest, changing heights, form and texture depending on the surrounding trees. at night, the lit interior allows a warm glow to soar from the chapel into the cold forest, evoking the image of a campfire or a lantern in the middle of the mountain. finally, the chapel illustrates a protected space, a sanctuary of nature, sacred, enchanted with trees, plants and ivies.

project info:

project name: earth chapel

status: concept

location: the ozer forest, lebanon

design and short film: JPAG

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.