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CAMPBELL HALL CENTER FOR SPIRITUAL PRACTICE
Project category: Religious sanctuary
Furniture: CH47 dining chair in custom stain finish by Hans J. Wegner
Location: 4533 Laurel Canyon Boulevard, Studio City, CA 91607, USA
Architect: Daniel Wheeler, wheelerMADE
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PROJECT
Campbell Hall School is an independent, coeducational, K-12 Episcopal day school in Studio City in Los Angeles with an enrollment of approximately 1,000 students from kindergarten through high school. The students are offered programs in athletics, music, drama, dance and all major academic areas. Campbell Hall School has a pluralistic and ecumenical identity with several religious traditions represented by faculty and students. In 2013, a new multi-faith chapel was inaugurated on the premises with the intention of ´setting the table of worship´ for the students within their own faiths, without sacrificing meaning or symbolism. The Center, designed by wheelerMade, provides space for private worship, meditation, religious classes, readings, and gatherings of less than 50 people.
WINNER 2014 OF FAITH AND FORM / IFRAA INTERNATIONAL AWARDS FOR RELIGIOUS ART AND ARCHITECTURE.
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LAYOUT & FURNISHINGS
The new Chapel was built into an existing larger building at the centre of the campus. Although at 1200 square feet it is relatively small, the space feels larger. Every feature of the sanctuary is designed to be symbolic, yet flexible. For example, the stone prayer wall has ties to to both the Wailing Wall and Shinto traditions in Japan.
The ark is built into the east wall of the sanctuary. The doors of the ark are adorned on the outside with the image of an olive tree, and on the inside with a quote from the Old Testament. A window in the wall forms a large cross, letting in daylight. At night the light from inside projects outwards.
The walls and ceiling of the simple, yet light and very pleasant room are white. The floor radiates warmth and is made of FSC certified Brazilian Cherry. The CH47 chairs are classic, timeless and comfortable. They are made of beech and stained to match the color of the floor.
DESIGNER DANIEL WHEELER ABOUT THE CHOICE OF CH47:
”We chose these chairs in particular for very specific reasons. High quality, elemental and tactile materials were used throughout the chapel. A very high level of handcrafted finish was required on every level because it is a very simple design. In order to achieve the right blend of tradition and the contemporary, and of simplicity and sensuality we wanted a mid-century design with little flourish but beautiful scale and finish, that would work well in a group of 32. This chair was a perfect fit for our design. It was very important to have the paper cord seat, because we wanted the organic feeling of rushes or reeds in the overall view of the sanctuary. Also, we chose chairs over benches or settees because we wanted to emphasize the individuality of worship. The CH47 chairs have a wide dimension which allows for a roomy seat and a little more physical privacy between each individual than others.”
Photographs: ©2013 Daniel Wheeler
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