Apostle Peter and St. Helen the Martyr Chapel

Apostle Peter and St. Helen the Martyr Chapel
© Charis Solomou

APOSTLE PETER AND ST. HELEN THE MARTYR CHAPEL

Michail Georgiou

ARCHITECTS
Michail Georgiou

CATEGORY
Chapel

LOCATION
Paphos, Cyprus

PHOTOGRAPHS
Charis Solomou

AREA
56 m²

PROJECT YEAR
2015

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN
Michail Georgiou, Theresa Kwok

CONTRACTOR
A. Ioannou Constructions LTD

METAL CONTRACTOR
Makico Metal Contractors LTD

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
Odysseas Georgiou

QUANTITY SURVEYOR
Danae Kynigou

MECHANICAL ENGINEER
Savvas Leonidou

LIGHT DESIGN
Kyriaki Pafitou

ARTIST
Konstandinos Zannetos

OWNER/SPONSOR
Petros Georgiou, Elli Georgiou

Text description provided by architect.

The Greek Orthodox chapel commemorating Apostle Peter and St. Helen the Martyr is situated on Kerkiras Street, in St. Theodoros area in Pafos, Cyprus. The founding stone was placed by the Bishop of Pafos, Georgios IV, on Saturday 7th December 2013 and the project was completed on Sunday 19th July 2015.

Apostle Peter and St. Helen the Martyr Chapel
© Charis Solomou
Apostle Peter and St. Helen the Martyr Chapel
© Charis Solomou

THE ARCHITECTURE

The chapel typology belongs to the double-aisle vaulted orthodox temples. The building program includes a Narthex, a Nave, a side Aisle, a Sanctuary and a Prothesis. Morphologically, it is inspired by the local orthodox ecclesiastical architecture, while, through a series of innovative building methods and materials, it presents a contemporary example.

As such, the entire chapel is formed by extruding a section along a longitudinal axis which results in a legible, lightweight and welcoming form.

Apostle Peter and St. Helen the Martyr Chapel
© Charis Solomou
Apostle Peter and St. Helen the Martyr Chapel
© Charis Solomou

The interaction of the extrusion with the programmatic elements of the building creates complex moments and rich spaces within the volume. The east and west sides of the extruded form are left open providing covered spaces filtering daylight and views. On the east side, a semi-cylindrical, self-standing element hosting the sanctuary is inserted in the volume.

On the west, vertical louvers, forming the bell-tower, provide shading for the entrance of the chapel while a large 5.5-meter-tall door allows the interior to be merged with the exterior. Finally, the landscape, identified by the almond trees complements the synthesis.

Apostle Peter and St. Helen the Martyr Chapel
© Charis Solomou
Apostle Peter and St. Helen the Martyr Chapel
© Charis Solomou

THE STRUCTURE

A steel structural frame and reinforced concrete walls are bound together by a thin rigid shell, acting as a seismic diaphragm, forming the composite structural system of the chapel.

The shell has a total thickness of 100 mm, including thermal insulation, and it has been constructed using Ferrocement, a cementious composite used in the 60's for constructing thin shell structures and boats.

The material and construction techniques have been revived and used for the first time on the island of Cyprus combining traditional and modern construction methods. Ferrocement allows greater precision and flexibility in adapting to the free form shape, at a much lower construction costs.

Apostle Peter and St. Helen the Martyr Chapel
© Charis Solomou
Apostle Peter and St. Helen the Martyr Chapel
© Charis Solomou

ICONOGRAPHIES

The Sanctuary Mural and the Iconostasis are emphasized by the filtered entrance light, which penetrates the longitudinal interior of the Chapel.

The cupola of the Sanctuary features Virgin Mary and baby Christ, surrounded and celebrated by Seraphim and Cherubim.

Apostle Peter and St. Helen the Martyr Chapel
© Charis Solomou
Apostle Peter and St. Helen the Martyr Chapel
© Charis Solomou

The figures are highlighted by the highly detailed textile folds and the large spectrum of golden shades. The composition is complemented by elaborated geometric ornaments.

The Iconostasis holds the Icons of Christ, Virgin Mary, Apostle Peter and St. Helen, while allowing selected views to the mural of the Sanctuary through a number of small openings.

Apostle Peter and St. Helen the Martyr Chapel
© Charis Solomou


Apostle Peter and St. Helen the Martyr Chapel
Perspective Plan
Apostle Peter and St. Helen the Martyr Chapel
Perspective Section


Apostle Peter and St. Helen the Martyr Chapel
Detail
Apostle Peter and St. Helen the Martyr Chapel
Isometric

Apostle Peter and St. Helen the Martyr Chapel
Diagram