Maurice Jennings + Walter Jennings Architects, PLLC

Chapel At Rio Roca Ranch

Chapel At Rio Roca Ranch
© Walter Jennings

PHOTOGRAPHS
Walter Jennings

YEAR
2011

LOCATION
 United States

CATEGORY
Chapel

Chapel At Rio Roca Ranch
© Walter Jennings

Text description provided by architect.

The Rio Roca Chapel is a carefully articulated wooden structure which is coupled with opulent textures and set against an awe-inspiring landscape. 

Chapel At Rio Roca Ranch
© Walter Jennings
Chapel At Rio Roca Ranch
© Walter Jennings

Its lightweight wood structure is braced elegantly with tension bars and turnbuckles, providing support for the walls and copper roof.

The chapel’s configuration is essentially an intricate weaving of steel and wood flitch systems with tongue and groove decking above.

Chapel At Rio Roca Ranch
© Walter Jennings
Chapel At Rio Roca Ranch
© Walter Jennings

The shift between plateau and river bluff is traversed by a stone retaining wall; through which visitors go through to enter the chapel, and after which the magnificent views of the Brazos River are exposed.

The site’s axis runs east-west parallel along the river to capitalize on the landscape and view of School House Mountain, therefore the glazing present on corresponding exterior walls allows a relatively unobstructed view thorough the chapel.

Chapel At Rio Roca Ranch
© Walter Jennings
Chapel At Rio Roca Ranch
© Walter Jennings

This transparent quality truly expresses the divine purpose of this building; the light filtered into the chapel primarily enters from above, and is playfully reflected and refracted throughout.

While the forms of a well and this chapel are largely apart, the threaded connections, held in place by set screws, which allow for minor adjustment and tensioning are alike.

The locale of the chapel, in a part of Texas dotted with oil and gas rigs, has determined the aesthetic quality of the detailing.

Chapel At Rio Roca Ranch
© Walter Jennings
Chapel At Rio Roca Ranch
© Walter Jennings

The use of these connections, such as turnbuckles, also allows much of the wooden structure to be fabricated offsite.

Chapel At Rio Roca Ranch
© Walter Jennings


Chapel At Rio Roca Ranch
© Walter Jennings
Chapel At Rio Roca Ranch
© Walter Jennings
Chapel At Rio Roca Ranch
© Walter Jennings
Chapel At Rio Roca Ranch
© Walter Jennings
Chapel At Rio Roca Ranch
© Walter Jennings
Chapel At Rio Roca Ranch
© Walter Jennings
Chapel At Rio Roca Ranch
© Walter Jennings
Chapel At Rio Roca Ranch
© Walter Jennings
Chapel At Rio Roca Ranch
© Walter Jennings


Chapel At Rio Roca Ranch
Section
Chapel At Rio Roca Ranch
Short Section


Chapel At Rio Roca Ranch
East Elevation
Chapel At Rio Roca Ranch
West Elevation
Chapel At Rio Roca Ranch
South Elevation
Chapel At Rio Roca Ranch
North Elevation


Chapel At Rio Roca Ranch
Main Level Plan
Chapel At Rio Roca Ranch
Site Plan


Chapel At Rio Roca Ranch
Details

Maurice Jennings + Walter Jennings Architects, PLLC
T +1 479 4434742 F +1 479 4430637
Maurice Jennings + Walter Jennings Architects, PLLC
619 W Dickson St, Fayetteville, AR 72701, United States