SAINT JOSEPH IN THE WOODS

The church in Stella is an appreciated spiritual place located in the alpine woods at 1,300 m.a.s.l.
The conversion and renovation of the building dating back to the fifties is aimed at reevaluating the existing structure. The main focus of the modification is in achieving an inviting atmosphere and a well-defined architectural structure.
The east facade of the building was broken through to provide the church interior with more daylight. The previously unused attic floor was restructured and recovered as a place for meditation, silence and retreat.
In the end only two architectural interventions determine the conversion of the church: on one hand the breakthrough of the sacred space to the landscape, on the other hand the opening of the gable to the piazza. Both interventions trigger off a dialogue between inside and outside, in other words between the man-made and the grown.
Ease and coziness inspirit the tend-like meditation space.
Brightness and peace ensoul the sacred space.