Moto Designshop's Arrupe Hall Jesuit Community at Saint Joseph's University has won the Silver Medal from the American Institute of Architects, Philadelphia Chapter. Silver is the highest award given for an unbuilt project.
"Our goal was to provide this religious community with not only a home, but a space that supports the serenity of their faith," stated Adam Montalbano, AIA, partner at Moto.
Named for Fr. Pedro Arrupe, a Jesuit priest whose cause for canonization opened this year, the residence is located near City Line Avenue on the western edge of Philadelphia. When completed in summer 2020, it will be home to 15 Jesuit priests who work and teach at the University, St. Joseph's Preparatory School, and the Gesu School.
"The project is a successful investigation about light and materiality," commented Juan Miro, FAIA, member of the Awards Jury from Austin, Texas, "sometimes textured, sometimes monolithic. Other times it appears weightless. Each creating a lovely moment in time.... This level of accomplishment along with the detail and resolution are all worthy of celebration."
Inspired by the shift between the Julian and Gregorian calendars, the chapel takes on a curvilinear form. The brick pattern further expands on those geometries, then morphs to create a veil, filtering natural light through masonry openings.
Image: Courtesy of Moto