RADLEY COLLEGE CHAPEL

Design Philosophy: The continuity of tradition expressed through a legible architectural language.
Chris’s competition winning design solution extended the east end with new sanctuary and devised canted side bays between buttresses to accommodate additional seating. The octagonal carpentered roof was modelled on the geometry of the vaulted roof forms of the Durham Great Monastic Kitchen and Chapels at Cordoba, interpreted in timber frame; impossible to visualise through drawing it had to be designed through cardboard modelmaking. Immense care was taken to carefully detail the new extension and its interface with the historic building, accepting that large new openings were required to ensure the spaces, fittings materials and light flowed seamlessly between old and new. A new organ was located at the adapted western Gallery. Chris used his passion for tradition and the contemporary to devise an architectural language that blended effortlessly the new and the old in brick, stone and crafted timber. The expression of vertical structure and surface contour, with subservient references to the existing chapel details enabled a seamless but legible continuity in both traditions of architecture and College life. The successful implementation on site was led by the diligent Josh Grieg of Purcell.
The project won the RIBA National Award and RIBA South Building of the Year Award, described by the judges as ‘a masterful blend of traditional and contemporary design’, ‘meticulous selection of materials’ and ‘impressive interiors’, judging it a ‘masterclass in modern architectural design’. This is accolade is a testament Chris’s 30-year passion for achieving continuity of meaningful traditional design within contemporary culture.