Chapel Of St Albert The Great

Chapel Of St Albert The Great
© Chris Humphreys

CHAPEL OF ST ALBERT THE GREAT

Simpson & Brown

ARCHITECTS
Simpson & Brown

LOCATION
Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh EH6 6EJ, United Kingdom

CATEGORY
Chapel

ARCHITECT IN CHARGE
Simpson & Brown

PROJECT YEAR
2013

PHOTOGRAPHS
Chris Humphreys

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
Elliott & Company

SERVICES ENGINEER
Irons Foulner

COLLABORATORS
George Berry & Partners

Chapel Of St Albert The Great
© Chris Humphreys
Chapel Of St Albert The Great
© Chris Humphreys

Text description provided by architect.

The new Chapel of Saint Albert the Great, in George Square, Edinburgh, was completed in 2013.

Chapel Of St Albert The Great
© Chris Humphreys
Chapel Of St Albert The Great
© Chris Humphreys
Chapel Of St Albert The Great
© Chris Humphreys

Built for the University Chaplaincy and friary for The Order of Preachers this new chapel is situated in the garden of one of the Category A listed buildings, replacing the old chapel which was located on the upper floor of the adjoining townhouses.

The new garden chapel not only provides a space for peace and worship, but also increases capacity and improves accessibility.

Chapel Of St Albert The Great
© Chris Humphreys
Chapel Of St Albert The Great
© Chris Humphreys

A new access was created from Middle Meadow Walk, and, along with the siting, form and appearance of the building, the chapel is announced to the many that use this popular route. 

The choice of materials and building form were important factors in the design of the building, chosen to achieve the peaceful space required of a chapel, and to connect it to its natural setting of the townhouse garden and city park beyond.

Four tree-like Corten Steel columns support a curved, oak-lined timber roof over the altar and sanctuary spaces. A thick masonry wall, constructed out of large clay blocks clad with sandstone, interprets the historic boundary between the townhouses and provides a solid mass and weight to the building form.

Chapel Of St Albert The Great
© Chris Humphreys
Chapel Of St Albert The Great
© Chris Humphreys
Chapel Of St Albert The Great
© Chris Humphreys

Angled windows are formed within this wall to allow light in and also to maintain the focus towards the sanctuary, providing only oblique views of the garden.

A combination of clerestory glazing, ventilator windows and a lightwell with opening rooflights provides both natural light and ventilation. Daylight is introduced by mirrors and filtered through continuous oak slats along the length of the chapel.

Chapel Of St Albert The Great
© Chris Humphreys


Chapel Of St Albert The Great
© Chris Humphreys
Chapel Of St Albert The Great
© Chris Humphreys
Chapel Of St Albert The Great
© Chris Humphreys
Chapel Of St Albert The Great
© Chris Humphreys


Chapel Of St Albert The Great
© Chris Humphreys
Chapel Of St Albert The Great
© Chris Humphreys
Chapel Of St Albert The Great
© Chris Humphreys


Chapel Of St Albert The Great
Plan