Mazenod College Chapel

About This Project

This project involved the dynamic extension and modernisation of existing 50yo Chapel, to increase capacity to 270 (year level), enhance connection to Faith, improve thermal and acoustic comfort & audio visual presentations. Includes integration of a water feature & Memorial Garden. The floor plan has been designed so that arrival is adjacent the flowing water feature, which represented Baptism or birth. Passing through the entry into the Nave past a textured curved rammed earth wall, the Chapel opens up, with focus drawn to the back wall of the Sanctuary, awash with natural light from roof windows concealed above, reminding all of the presence of God and Heaven above. Light washes across a large cruciform sculpture of Jesus (by Orchard Studios), with the Sanctuary bordered on each side by engravings of Mary Immaculate and St Eugene De Mazenod. Finally, you leave the Chapel past the Memorial Garden, featuring the names of all Mazenod alumni who have passed. From here a large copper wing rises from the earth and draws the eye to the heavens (referencing Ascension to heaven, and the body breaking down into spirit as it rises), where it terminates over the water feature, completing the cycle of life.