The Berlin-based Christoph Hesse Architects studio chooses natural stone to build a “sheltering yet open” space alongside the local community
Twelve 6-meter-tall pillars arranged elliptically, made from 3960 blocks of sandstone. A steel roof, leaving a gap from the perimeter of the columns, from which hang an oak beam (for placing candles) and climbing plants. This is the Open Chapel, a small sacred space (50 sqm) built between 2022 and 2024 on a hill near the village of Hillershausen in Germany.
It is one of nine chapels created by Christoph Hesse Architects as part of the Open Mind Places initiative, aimed at involving residents of small communities in creating projects using locally sourced materials and craftsmanship. As the studio’s founder states, “the material choices for the Open Chapel were guided by sustainability, availability, and durability.” In fact, the roof and candle holder were crafted by local blacksmiths and carpenters, but the true protagonist of the project is stone. Cut into small rough bricks, the sandstone achieves permeability (thanks to the gaps between the pillars and in the ceiling) and lightness (thanks to the curved floor plan and lighting that makes the sacred space resemble a Chinese lantern). The goal was to create a “sheltering yet open” space, and natural stone was the ideal solution for this purpose.
Thus, sandstone embodies a project that is a “symbol of collaboration,” one that “invites visitors of all backgrounds, regardless of faith or belief, fostering reflection, care, and a sense of community.” Therefore, it is not only a practical or aesthetic choice but also an ethical one, as shown by the modus operandi of Christoph Hesse Architects, who define themselves with a question: “Can architecture empower people to shape their own communities while restoring balance with nature?” In particular, the Open Chapel is categorized as one of the Perspective Changers projects, which aim for architecture that can “shift how we see the world and stimulate self-efficacy,” establishing “deep connections to nature, others, and oneself.” In this light, the choice of stone is eloquent in bringing these ideals to life.
Photo Credit: https://christophhesse.eu/open-chapel/