Chapel of Sound

Chapel of Sound is a semi-outdoor concert hall that rests on the floor of the valley and mimics the giant prehistoric boulders that might have fallen to the same spots many years ago. The structure is made entirely of concrete mixed with an aggregate of crushed local mineral-rich rocks. The upside-down conical building is home to a semi-outdoor amphitheater, an outdoor stage, viewing platforms, and supporting spaces.

The 8,500 square-foot hall’s form is entirely driven by its function as an “instrument for sound” rather than as a place for viewing concerts. The interior shape was inspired by the shape of the human ear, the most fascinating audible instrument ever created.

The rocks on-site made up the concrete used for construction; in addition, this helps the structure blend seamlessly into its surroundings. The layered exterior form was modeled on the rock formations that are found in the surrounding mountains.

Perhaps looking “anti-cozy” from outside, the cave-like space has many mindful details that result in a finished work that offers a place of comfort to visitors. Even though shaped for the most optimal acoustic results for music performances, the hall can also be used as a place for contemplation and community gatherings. The large opening in the hall’s roof, together with small openings of varied shapes cut into the walls, allow for stunning views of the sky and valley. In addition, through the holes, different sounds of nature constantly filter in.

Essentially, the structure is composed of two interconnected concrete shells. The outer shell has an inverted conic shape that touches the ground with a small footprint in order to minimize the impact on the natural surroundings. The second shape, the inner shell, is shaped mainly to enhance acoustics since with hard surfaces, sounds back off and the openings on the enclosing surfaces for the most optimal of sound absorption.

A big part of the chapel’s beauty is that in its construction, it redefines the definition of a concert. If no concert is taking place, the building is still surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature. The openings allow sunbeams and rainwater to stream in and the water trickling out of the floor channels provides for a unique sound. No window or doors allow the birds, insects, and tree breezes to create “nature’s harmony.”

Perhaps the most complicated and intensive part of the construction process involved the roof. The pouring of concrete for the roof involved construction workers coming in for shifts throughout the day and night. They carefully finished the surfaces with hand tools as each batch of concrete was carefully poured. The push of this 24-hour-long period was necessary as the architects needed the structure enclosed prior to the start of winter.

Recently, the Chapel of Sound was recognized in the 66th annual Progressive Architecture Awards. The building was chosen as one of ten projects to receive this prestigious award that focuses on innovative and ongoing work that promotes progressive ways of thinking about architecture.