Project Name: Chapel in Valleaceron / Capilla en Valleacerón
Location: Valleaceron, Almaden, Spain
https://goo.gl/maps/LVxGR8rtgVF8Ai7XA
Area: 893 ft²
Architect: Sancho-Madridejos Architecture Office S-M.A.O.

Nestled in the heart of Valleaceron, Almaden, Spain, the Chapel in Valleaceron is a marvel of modern religious architecture. Designed by the Madrid-based firm Sancho-Madridejos Architecture Office (SMAO), this masterpiece is more than just a building, a symphony of light, space, and spirituality.

Sancho Madridejos: The Architects behind The Chapel in Valleaceron

Sol Madridejos and Juan Carlos Sancho are the minds behind the design of The Chapel in Valleaceron. Sancho-Madridejos Architecture Office designs combine innovation, aesthetics, and a deep understanding of context. Their work is a testament to their ability to push the boundaries of design while maintaining a connection to the essence of the space and its surroundings.

Chapel in Valleaceron by Sancho Madridejos - Sheet1
Sol Madridejos and Juan Carlos Sancho_©Sancho-Madridejos Architecture Office https://www.stirworld.com/images/see/3468_S_MAO_20.jpg?30

The Design Ideology behind The Chapel in Valleaceron

The Chapel in Valleacerón is a space where people can find peace and connect with their inner spiritual being. Inspired by the undulating terrain of the hills, the concept of ‘folding the landscape’ is brought to life, where the Chapel appears to rise from the ground and fold into a protective shell.

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Conceptual models of The Chapel in Valleaceron _©Sancho-Madridejos Architecture Office https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/57e5/5ba1/e58e/ce20/5300/0017/large_jpg/CHAPEL_models.jpg?1474648989

Sancho Madridejos developed The Chapel design using a focally tensed “box-fold” concept. Consider taking a cube made of paper and manipulating it to create geometric shapes to translate into buildings.

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The Chapel in Valleaceron Sketch_©Sancho-Madridejos Architecture Office https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/57e5/5bad/e58e/ce9e/1d00/0044/large_jpg/CHAPEL_sketches.jpg?1474648999

Style of architecture: Folded Concrete 

Sancho Madridejos is famous for shaping geometries to create interesting structures. The Chapel is an example of folded concrete architecture, where concrete panels are folded or curved to create dynamic and visually striking shapes.

Chapel in Valleaceron by Sancho Madridejos - Sheet4
The Chapel in Valleaceron curved facade ©Hisao Suzuki, Sancho-Madridejos Architecture Office https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/6221/0d9c/4817/6b01/6459/bae5/slideshow/04-c-jc-ok.jpg?1646333368

The focally tensed “box-fold” concept features a curved fold in response to various external forces acting on the structure. The curved and folded structure is carefully planned and designed to withstand external stresses.

Site Context and Location

The Chapel is situated in a 5000-hectare rural estate with ancient holm oak trees and truffle cultivation located in the Sierra La Villa mountains of Cuenca, Spain. 

The project involves placing and connecting a series of buildings in the landscape, including a Dwelling, Chapel, Hunting pavilion, and Guard’s residence. Though each building serves a different purpose they share a common design concept, the “fold”.

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The Chapel in Valleaceron Aerial Site View ©Hisao Suzuki, Sancho-Madridejos Architecture Office https://archello.com/story/108019/attachments/photos-videos/2

The Chapel is designed in a way that it seamlessly blends with the landscape being one with it. The chapel is built on a relatively big site, and the building and site ratios were chosen to maximize the Chapel’s presence in the landscape. Sitting on a small hill overlooking a valley, the Chapel offers stunning views of cherry trees and crop fields.

The Chapel serves as a landmark and can be seen from the estate entrance, which is about 2 kilometers away and on a relatively lower level.  

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The Chapel in Valleaceron Site Plan ©Sancho-Madridejos Architecture Office https://archello.com/story/108019/attachments/drawings/1

The building is oriented to face east, surrounded by trees and vegetation. The orientation of the building is slightly of an east-west axis, allowing it to capture the changing light throughout the day. 

Planning and Spatial Arrangement

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Floor plans and Sections of The Chapel in Valleaceron_©Sancho-Madridejos Architecture Office https://archello.com/story/108019/attachments/drawings/3

The Chapel interior features a single, open space, with a high ceiling. The interior space of the chapel can be into two: 

  • The Nave which is a long and narrow space that is divided into two aisles by a central walkway.
  • The Apse is a smaller, more intimate space located at the back of the chapel. 

Access and approach: 

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The Chapel in Valleaceron Entrance_©Hisao Suzuki, Sancho-Madridejos Architecture Office https://www.metalocus.es/sites/default/files/files/metalocus_lejana-aerea_21090304_08.jpg

The Chapel in Valleacerón has several entry and exit points, making it easy for people to access the building from different locations. The main entrance in the Western façade is spacious, warm, and inviting for visitors to the Chapel. 

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The Chapel in Valleaceron Main Door Detail Drawings_©Sancho-Madridejos Architecture Office https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/57e5/5bc6/e58e/ce20/5300/0019/large_jpg/door_detail.jpg?1474649025

Circulation- Horizontal and Vertical: 

As you approach the chapel, the entrance can be found on the building’s west facade, while the exit is on the east. Inside, the central walkway connects the Nave and the Apse, creating a harmonious flow through the space.

The Western entrance leads the people toward the other end of the structure, which is more compressed in volume, creating a sense of progression or direction as if guiding people through the building.

Interior Design:

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The Chapel in Valleaceron Interior_©Hisao Suzuki, Sancho-Madridejos Architecture Office https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/57e5/5bbd/e58e/ce9e/1d00/0045/large_jpg/INTERIOR_3.jpg?1474649016

The interiors of the Chapel display simplicity and purity. The walls are crafted from concrete while the floor features concrete tiles. The combination of white concrete walls and floors gives the space a peaceful feel, and a large window at the end of the chapel beautifully frames the surrounding landscape. 

The design of the Chapel incorporates a fold as a stylistic architectural element. This fold creates hidden spaces within the building, adding an element of surprise and discovery for those exploring the church.

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The Chapel in Valleaceron Interior_©Hisao Suzuki, Sancho-Madridejos Architecture Office https://www.miesarch.com/uploads/images/works/1496-9211.jpg

The contrast between the static man-made concrete and the dynamic natural light is quite striking. The concrete structure remains unchanged, while the interplay of light creates a sense of movement and change, acting like a second material.

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The Chapel in Valleaceron Apse_©Hisao Suzuki, Sancho-Madridejos Architecture Office https://archello.com/story/108019/attachments/photos-videos/11

On entering the Chapel in Valleacerón, you won’t find many religious symbols. Visitors approach the Chapel from the western entrance and the focal point is asymmetric. The central portion of the church,houses a few symbolic elements of a religious place: an onyx lamp, a cross, and a picture. Except for the lamp, there are no other artificial light sources in the chapel, relying solely on natural light.

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The Chapel in Valleaceron Apse Interior_©Hisao Suzuki, Sancho-Madridejos Architecture Office https://archello.com/story/108019/attachments/photos-videos/9
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The Chapel in Valleaceron Apse Exterior view_©Hisao Suzuki, Sancho-Madridejos Architecture Office https://archello.com/story/108019/attachments/photos-videos/7

The cross creates openings in the wall that allow light to come through. These openings are strategically placed to allow sunlight into the building. As the sun moves, the light patterns inside the building change gradually, meaning that the lighting conditions inside the building will not be static; instead, they will be in a constant state of transformation, making the space visually engaging and unique at different times.

Facade: 

The facade is inspired by the surrounding landscape, with the folded concrete panels resembling the folds of the mountains.

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The Chapel in Valleaceron_©Hisao Suzuki, Sancho-Madridejos Architecture Office https://www.metalocus.es/sites/default/files/styles/mopis_news_carousel_item_desktop/public/metalocus_lejana-aerea_21090304_04.jpg?itok=AyfqjiBc

The Chapel facade features folded Golden concrete, which creates a series of interlocking triangles making large glass windows. These windows allow sunlight to enter the chapel, and the light gets scattered or diffracted, creating various illuminations at all times of the day. As a result, the spatial effect inside the church constantly changes, making it a visually dynamic and ever-evolving place.

Materials/Construction and Technology: 

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The Chapel in Valleaceron Axonometric View_©Sancho-Madridejos Architecture Office https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/6221/0d93/4817/6b01/6459/bae4/large_jpg/axonometria-ok.jpg?1646333372

The materials used in the chapel construction are concrete, steel, and glass. 

  • Golden Concrete is used for the exterior and interior walls.
  • Steel is used for the beams.
  • Glass is used for the skylights.

The golden concrete used can capture and reflect different shades of light, creating a beautiful effect on the building.

Structure: 

The Chapel structure is constructed using reinforced concrete with the folds in the structure providing stability and strength. The folded concrete panels are supported by a series of steel beams. The concrete was poured in situ, with the folds created using a custom-made formwork Wedge from Tecmolde. 

The Chapel in Valleaceron Exterior View_©Hisao Suzuki, Sancho-Madridejos Architecture Office https://archello.com/story/108019/attachments/photos-videos/1

The folded Concrete structure is designed remain intact without collapsing under external pressures. Using a single material enhances the monolithic appearance of the chapel, further making it one with the landscape.

Sustainable Practices adopted:  

Some of the sustainable design strategies implemented in The Chapel include: 

  • The concrete structure provides thermal mass, helping to regulate the interior temperature and reduce energy consumption.
  • The building orientation and the strategic placement of windows allows for natural light to fill the interior space, reducing the need for artificial lighting. 
  • Being located in a naturally ventilated area reduces the load on artifical air conditioning. 
  • The use of locally sourced materials minimizes transportation costs.

Conclusion: 

The Chapel in Valleaceron stands as a remarkable example of innovative and sustainable architecture. Its unique design, seamless blend with the landscape, and thoughtful use of materials and light create a tranquil and contemplative space that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.The work on The Chapel in Valleaceron adds to the legacy of Sancho-Madridejos, affirming that Architecture goes beyond mere buildings; it’s about crafting meaningful experiences.

References:
  1. Sancho-Madridejos. Valleacerón Chapel. [online]. Available at: https://www.sancho-madridejos.com/proyectos/fold/valleaceron-capilla [Accessed 4 August 2023].
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  5. Archello. Chapel in Sierra la Villa. [online]. Available at: https://archello.com/project/chapel-in-sierra-la-villa [Accessed 4 August 2023].
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Author

Juvairiah Jazeela, freelance architect, and SEO professional is the creative force behind ‘Archipasta’. She’s all about user experience, whether she’s crafting Architectural designs or developing websites. Being an active voice in Quora’s architectural community, she’s always ready to share her knowledge and address queries about architecture and design.