Natural light and natural beauty of minimalism light wood, turned into a work of art by masters of modern architecture – a unique chapel The Tree of Life Chapel is made of 20 tons of wood without any nails or other metal fasteners.

Filigree wooden chapel was built at the seminary of St. James, located in Braga (Portugal). As part of a modern building seminary structure was designed by architects from the Portuguese studio Imago Atelier de Arquitectura e Engenharia in collaboration with the creative team of local and Italian colleagues, as well as the famous Norwegian sculptor Asbjorn Andresen, who has lectured and worked in Sweden, Norway and Portugal.

The chapel is designed to become a space for solitude, prayer and quiet reflection inhabitants of the seminary. Every detail of the structure takes inspiration from the Bible. The general plan of construction and design solutions represent the six days of creation and seventh day of rest.

There is a close and subtle relationship between the external world and the space of the chapel, clear outlines of which don’t seek to erect impermeable fences, strict limits and restrictions. The structure resembles a hut, a boat, honeycomb and wood.

Wooden slats are also shelving for books, and open spaces allow the daylight, embossed surfaces to its spatial magic all day long, but the extent to which this contributes to an austere and conceptual context – the gray walls of the main building.

The work of authors of the project can be found on the official website of the architectural studio http://www.imago.com.pt/home.php