project # 2

TITLE: LOYOLA CHAPEL & AUDITORIUM

LOCATION: TRIVENDRUM, KERALA

ARCHITECT: LAURIE BAKER

Laurence Wilfred Baker: known as Laurie Baker, was a phenomenon that hardly needs an introduction to the architecture fraternity. Almost quietly working in Kerala for decades he was pivotal in bringing a sustainable technology revolution in that state. This revolution, named COSTFORD, is now an institution spread across Kerala state and provides sustainable housing solutions to many. The building portrayed here is his much celebrated work: Loyola Chapel and auditorium at Trivendrum.

This building has an interesting section that combines chapel on one side and auditorium on the either side, yet gives both these entities their unique identities. The chapel space is lit with indirect light from above giving it an almost a spiritual existence; whereas the auditorium space is lit from both the sides with unique brick-jalis. The material palette comprises of exposed brick masonry with jalis, steel trusses and roofing sheets. The peripheral walls are made of double layer brick masonry with sufficient buffer space in-between. Both these layers are made porous with jalis which allows air movement and the buffer space in-between helps creating a cool indoor space.