Project in Detail
STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN
Bandung, Indonesia
SAMUEL A. BUDIONO & ASSOCIATES, Jakarta, Indonesia
2009
Samuel A. Budiono - SAMUEL A. BUDIONO & ASSOCIATES
STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN
“Stairway to Heaven” is a symbolic stairway to draw closer to God for a church building. A real sense of procession is created with massive stairway that begins at street level and act as a metaphor of an intermediate between heaven and earth or a transition between the secular world and the sanctuary. Symbolism is used from the ground up with the expression of continuous stairway that kind of disappear to the sky reflecting the way to salvation.
The concept is also driven by the constraint of no building allowed between two electrical tower lines which are located at the entry. Landscape and green roof garden become the transition area before entering the building. Trees and shrubs mask this space giving credence to the idea that green blanket will blend with the massing.
Basically there is three level building that has three sequences of entry which can be accessed from pedestrian using the stairs. The stairway connect the three entries to become one entity as symbolism of “trinity” which is the main foundation of Christianity.
The expression is ‘architectonic’ approach which is encased in a concrete massing with the accent of minimalist glass to bring light pouring into the congregation that can be described as ‘a mystical metaphor for God’s presence’. It is indeed dramatic but the overriding sense of the space is more spare than ornamented, more quiet than riotous sanctuary qualities would imply.
The design is ‘a pure and elemental prism represents purify, essence and harmony’. There is a purify in the form, and in the opening up of the box so that the inner sanctuary becomes accessible to all. The mixing of the two elements, a dynamic curved line that breaks the static cube volume, creates spaces between which points of intersection are established and which lead to an interaction and a language that deals with space and time, walking and observing.
After all, attention to the form and a virtue of coordinated details will ensure that ‘harmony’ is not merely a poetic term but a physical presence. Great symbolic importance lies behind the design, but its manifestation is unique, provocative and puts the viewer in mind of what it is like to strive for an ideal.
Lead Architect »
SAMUEL A. BUDIONO & ASSOCIATES
Jakarta
Indonesia
Professional Credits »
Architect
Mr Samuel A. Budiono
SAMUEL A. BUDIONO & ASSOCIATES
Indonesia
+62.81.6504553
SABAssociates@gmail.com
Interior Designer
Ms Yatty L. Budiono
SAMUEL A. BUDIONO & ASSOCIATES
Indonesia
+62.81.553011565
SABAstudio@gmail.com