lina bo bardi's wooden chairs inside her são paulo chapel

50 kilometers west of são paulo’s bustling center, a humble cement masonry chapel sits amid the rural tranquility of the brazilian countryside. designed by the acclaimed modernist architect lina bo bardi, ‘santa maria dos anjos chapel’ stands as a simple chamfered cube, where two of the structure’s diagonally opposing corners are cut away at 45 degree angles.

the wooden chairs subtly reference the building’s distinctive form
image © designboom

within the unassuming structure, a set of wooden chairs — also created by bo bardi — subtly reference the building’s distinctive form. designed between 1978-80, the benches are believed to have been originally intended for the better-known ‘espirito santo do cerrado church’ in uberlândia. however, the shape of the seat – three angled planes – mirrors almost exactly the chapel’s chamfered corners, questioning the seat’s intended destination. constructed using plywood, the rear of the chair is extended vertically to form a backrest, while two openings at each side allow the item to be readily relocated. only 15 versions of the particular model are believed to be in existence.

only 15 versions of the particular model are believed to be in existence
image © designboom

constructed in 1978, the chapel was originally plastered with a mixture that used the local earth, lending the windowless façade a pinkish hue. however, in recent years, the distinctive color tones have faded with a different paint used to re-clad the building.

the humble cement masonry chapel sits amid the rural tranquility of the brazilian countryside
image © designboom

another change from the original design concerns the roof canopy which runs around the perimeter of the structure. when first built, the veranda was enclosed with ‘sapé’, (a local plant traditionally used as a covering for rural buildings), which sat atop unevenly spaced tree trunk supports. today however, the same shelter is formed of ceramic tiles which seek to protect the base of the chapel from the region’s harsh elements.

‘santa maria dos anjos chapel’ stands as a simple chamfered cube
image © designboom

internally, the diagonal chamfer aligns itself with the central aisle, around which the minimal furnishings are articulated. consequently, upon entering the volume, the opposing walls extend in a welcoming fashion towards the visitor. high above the altar, two large apertures fill the space with a warm glow, lending the chapel an intimate sense of serenity and calm.

designboom was greeted by the chapel’s priest, who made us wait while he changed into his customary robes
image © designboom