This article was first published in the December 2015 issue of WIRED magazine. Be the first to read WIRED's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by subscribing online.
This concrete and steel slab perched precariously on an El Salvador hillside is a chapel.
Surrounded by mountains and overlooking the volcanic Coatepeque Lake, the 182m<sup>2 </sup>Capilla Cardedeu was conceived as a frame for the landscape, so EMC Arquitectura, the Salvadoran firm behind the project, designed it as a wedge-shaped building that's open on two sides.
"We wanted to highlight the lake and take attention away from distracting elements," explains Eva Hinds, who designed the chapel and other surrounding buildings, which together form part of an event space. "The chapel is wider on the open side facing the lake."
This configuration allows air to circulate constantly inside the building, making the tropical climate bearable for the congregations. It is aided by the internal structure of the walls, with two layers of concrete separated by a buffer of air to absorb excess heat. The projecting corner is kept stable by concrete frames and two steel I-beams.
"The ground was sunken on one side, and at the same time that particular spot was the first thing one would see when approaching the area," says Hinds. "We designed the building so that from the road below you see what looks like a flying chapel."
Capilla Cardedeu is among the finalist projects at the World Architecture Festival in Singapore which takes place in November. It certainly has an edge.
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
