With the framing up, the chapel build has returned to a more typical pace. This week, the focus has been on installing the roof purlins and ceiling battens. These are the pieces of timber that run lengthwise along the building, attached above and below the roof truss. The internal ceiling and the external roofing will then be attached to these timber runs. You might also notice that they have also constructed the eaves that cover the front access to the chapel.
More drone photos kindly taken by Paul Temperton are shared below.
Final Design Specifications
We have also received the final design specifications from our designer with updated interior and exterior renders. The updated interior render is included in the gallery below. You will notice that the chapel design focuses on the intentional use of a few, otherwise simple, elements. For example, the timber slat wall is made of simple DIY panels that are available from Mitre 10, but by using affordable LED lighting, we turned a simple element into something quite special. Interestingly, the story the chapel tells is communicated through the lighting:
Front and centre is the cross; just as Jesus and the cross should be the focal point of our lives, so the cross is the focal point of the chapel.
Below the cross is a horizontal light; as everyone is equally called to respond to Jesus regardless of age, gender, or status, it has been said that ‘the ground is flat at the foot of the cross’, for there is no priority access to him. The horizontal light reflects this equality of access and invitation to respond.
Above the cross is a ‘halo’ pendant light; in coming to Jesus, we are called to recognise him as lord over all creation and so also, our own lives. In ‘crowning’ the cross, this pendant light communicates the lordship of Christ, while also pointing to his humility and holiness. By associating the crown with the cross, the penant also reminds us of the crown of thorns and so also, Christ’s humility. By being a ‘halo’, it utilises a traditional Christian symbol that is associated with holiness and divinity.
Please note: Being a construction site, there are many hazards that present health and safety risks. So we ask that you avoid entering the construction site unless you have been formally inducted.
You can support our ‘Build Back Better’ project by sending donations to:
Account Name: Havelock North Baptist Church
Account Number: 03-0642-0737741-01
Just add ‘Building’ in the particulars, alongside your tithe number (if you have one) as the reference.
