Chapel renovations and addition

[valpopal]

Any other opinions out there?

This might be an unpopular opinion, but my wife and I were at the chapel yesterday, and we discussed the appearance. Though we appreciate the practical valuable inside space provided, both of us felt there was a problem with the addition's contrast against the original structure. My wife remarked that the new space looked like a wing of an airport terminal. I had high hopes as the construction was happening; however, there is a good reason that historical districts do not permit additions to old structures unless the lines, design, and style are consistent. As an artist, I believe the aesthetics of the chapel addition are not coherent, and it seems like a contemporary growth that is inconsistent, detracting from classic grandeur of the original building. I'll give it some time, and maybe I will reconsider. Perhaps my opinion of this growth will grow as well.

[78crusader]

While I can't match the eloquence and artistic knowledge of valpopal, my question is: why didn't they build the addition out of BRICK?

Paul

[okinawatyphoon]

While I can't match the eloquence and artistic knowledge of valpopal, my question is: why didn't they build the addition out of BRICK?

Paul

That is a good question. You can see that they integrated stone similar to that of the main chapel, but it is curious as to why no red brick was incorporated. In this photo, you can see the attempts to match the stone (which look quite similar). I also see some of the green of both structures playing off each other. But maybe the roundness of the addition provides too much of a contrast to the original.

[vu72]

My guess is to totally remove the addition from the original design.  By this I mean that the use of black does not in any way detract from the focus on the original.  Obviously, the original is very contemporary in design, the addition is simply, by color and otherwise, meant to not in anyway detract from the original.  Just a guess...

[a3uge]

I think it looks pretty good [emoji10]

[covufan]

Looks like it's almost complete. The photo has some strange effects from being a panoramic photo, but otherwise it looks great. I'm loving all of the glass. From the Valparaiso University Alumni Facebook page:

Any other opinions out there?

This might be an unpopular opinion, but my wife and I were at the chapel yesterday, and we discussed the appearance. Though we appreciate the practical valuable inside space provided, both of us felt there was a problem with the addition's contrast against the original structure. My wife remarked that the new space looked like a wing of an airport terminal. I had high hopes as the construction was happening; however, there is a good reason that historical districts do not permit additions to old structures unless the lines, design, and style are consistent. As an artist, I believe the aesthetics of the chapel addition are not coherent, and it seems like a contemporary growth that is inconsistent, detracting from classic grandeur of the original building. I'll give it some time, and maybe I will reconsider. Perhaps my opinion of this growth will grow as well.

While I can't match the eloquence and artistic knowledge of valpopal, my question is: why didn't they build the addition out of BRICK?

Paul

I am no architect, but it appears that from a distance, the designer was trying to tie together the curved windows of the two buildings.  I'm with '78 - where's the BRICK?

[wh]

Just took a leisurely drive around campus, and I have to say I have never seen the university look more beautiful than it does right now. With record amounts of rainfall we've been getting over the past few weeks, everything is green and lush, flowers and plants are beautiful, and grassy areas look like a golf course. Very impressive.

Also, I know this will leave some people wondering, but I really like the addition to the chapel. I agree with what others have said that it appears that they were trying to match the contrasting features of the chapel, not the look of the chapel itself. Black and gray are predominant colors with the dark windows and trim, similar to a lot of contrasting black and gray at the library right across the way. Notice the similarities:



I think it's a great blend of architectural styles. Then again, my wife won't even let me help pick out paint colors when we redecorate, so what do I know. 

[okinawatyphoon]

First look inside from the Valpo Chapel Instagram page:

https://instagram.com/valpochapel/

[valpopal]

I had a meeting near the chapel today, so I stopped to snap this photo of the addition. This is the view visitors see when entering from I-30 and from the Welcome Center. I also walked through the interior, which looks fantastic and has a lot of useful spaces. To be honest though, I still see the addition as a mistake aesthetically since it hides and detracts from the great iconic classic architecture that represented the university in so many images for so long.

[vu72]

Beautiful picture, thanks for that!  As for the architecture, just take photos from the other side if you don't like the addition!   

[rink]

That's the view coming in from I-30, eh?  Eek.  Maybe the pictures don't do it justice, but the juxtaposition is awful, it looks crowded, and it clashes.  Worse, 50% of the grand chapel structure is hidden from that angle.  Peek-a-boo, the chapel is back there somewhere, and it's only half the size it used to be.

Hope it's better in person.  In the picture, the new addition looks like an office building from the 1980s.  Not a fitting combo with the chapel.

[crusadermoe]

It looks ok.   The new addition looks bigger from the southwest lower meadow area than it does from the main entrance itself.   

The angle from the southwest did make me think of solider field and the flying saucer that landed on top of it.  At least this time they flying saucer had the decency to land next to it on the downward slope.

[VULB#62]

Good news on the Google Maps front.  The latest image include Beacon Hall, the new chapel addition, the new tennis building and the new track.


https://www.google.com/maps/@41.4627467,-87.0406805,335m/data=!3m1!1e3

[covufan]

Good news on the Google Maps front.  The latest image include Beacon Hall, the new chapel addition, the new tennis building and the new track.


https://www.google.com/maps/@41.4627467,-87.0406805,335m/data=!3m1!1e3

And a nice large parking lot/garage combo north of Brown Field for our SRO games!

[Vale O. Paradise]

The Valpo YouTube channel just posted a great short tour of the new building: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54L4CYXIVF4

[vu72]

The Valpo YouTube channel just posted a great short tour of the new building: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54L4CYXIVF4

I was there at the dedication and had the chance to meet agibson!  A wonderful space that meshes well with the Chapel.  The whole campus never looked better.  Great things are going on there!!!!

[agibson]

I was there at the dedication and had the chance to meet agibson!

Indeed, very good of you to pick me out in the crowd!  Was a pleasure to meet you.

[historyman]

The Valpo YouTube channel just posted a great short tour of the new building: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54L4CYXIVF4

Apparently this video was removed from youtube by Valpo.

[vu72]

We also found out yesterday that new seating is on the way for the Chapel.  It should be in place by Christmas Vespers.  They are being made by the same company who made them for Coventry Cathedral in England and made to appear the same because theirs were created mid-1990's (after the war damage)and thus will keep with the original architectural style as the Chapel, which was built in the same time period.  They will be individual seats but able to interlock.  The balcony will keep the current pews and pews will also be kept along the outside of the sanctuary for those who prefer this seating as well as families with small children. This change will also add 300 seating capacity.

I think this picture shows what they will look like:

https://sp.yimg.com/xj/th?id=OIP.Mbc010c5f3ec0c866374e8aed0f730bf0o0&pid=15.1&P=0&w=300&h=300

[agibson]

We also found out yesterday that new seating is on the way for the Chapel.  It should be in place by Christmas Vespers.

Interesting! I'd heard murmurs that they were serious _this_ time, for real. But, this is the first I've heard a date.

[FWalum]

Quote from: vu72 on October 12, 2015, 02:26:28 PM

    We also found out yesterday that new seating is on the way for the Chapel.  It should be in place by Christmas Vespers.

We also heard that at Homecoming.  Is seating really a problem at the chapel? Not sure why this is needed, many wondering why money would be spent on this since the pews are movable, perhaps not as flexible as individual seating and depending on the type (padded?) maybe a little more comfortable.

[crusader05]

I believe that the issue relates to being able to do many configurations. The pews don't allow for a lot of flexibility even though they are movable while the seats provide more options and are much easier to move.  I believe I remember hearing that the pews are very heavy and difficult to move. My assumption is this is being funded by the donation so I can get why they wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to get something nice. Aesthetically they're not my favorite, but I understand the desire to move towards something that's a little easier in regards to set-up for different services.

[vu72]

I believe that the issue relates to being able to do many configurations. The pews don't allow for a lot of flexibility even though they are movable while the seats provide more options and are much easier to move.  I believe I remember hearing that the pews are very heavy and difficult to move. My assumption is this is being funded by the donation so I can get why they wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to get something nice. Aesthetically they're not my favorite, but I understand the desire to move towards something that's a little easier in regards to set-up for different services.

You hit it on the head.  The existing pews are 12 feet long and made of solid oak. It takes 4 men to move one. (this info was reported to us at our gathering on Sunday.) The pews are moved often as, for example, when there is an organ recital the pews are reversed.  The money is coming from donations made over the years specifically given for Chapel upkeep.

[Vale O. Paradise]

The video tour seems to be back up...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ug1ZBeRpmeo

[bbtds]

I remember hearing at one time that there were a few incidents of the pews breaking from the weight of a large group sitting together. It was deemed necessary to avoid this at all costs. Also the point about the pews being extremely heavy. If you haven't noticed there have been fewer and fewer pews over the near 60 years of the Chapel and different configurations have been used to hide this fact.