南屯聖維雅內堂, Methodist chapel at Tunghai University in Xitun District, Taiwan.
Luce Memorial Chapel is a Methodist chapel at Tunghai University featuring four warped concrete shells that rise into a tent-like form reaching about 19 meters high. The exterior is covered with diamond-shaped yellow tiles that give the structure its distinctive appearance.
The chapel was designed by architects I.M. Pei and Chi-kuan Chen in 1962 and completed in 1963. The choice of reinforced concrete instead of traditional wood construction was a deliberate response to the local climate conditions in Taiwan.
The chapel serves the Methodist community at Tunghai University and is actively used by students and staff for regular worship gatherings. It creates a sense of togetherness as people come together to pray and share spiritual moments within its distinctive space.
The chapel is located on the university campus and is mainly open to visitors during scheduled religious services and special ceremonies. It is best to plan a visit around these events or check in advance when the building is open to the public.
The concrete formwork was crafted by local artisans with meticulous attention to detail, leaving intricate patterns on the interior surfaces. This craftsmanship is often overlooked by visitors but reveals the skilled work that went into the building's creation.
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