Year: 1694 CE

Location: Turin, Italy

Architect: Guarino Guarini

Purpose: Chapel

Background: Capella della Sacra Sindone (Chapel of the Holy Shroud) is a baroque style Catholic chapel constructed to house the Shroud of Turin.

Geometric analysis

Floor Plan

Section 1                                                              Section 2

The baroque style chapel combines various aspects of Ancient Greek and Roman architecture to form one baroque style building through its use of symmetry, geometric shapes, columns and the lintel structured entryway. The building has a relatively simple floor plan which follows the ideal concept of symmetry evident in most Ancient Greek and Roman architecture, however the floor plan has integrated an unusual triangular plan shown in the geometric analysis above which alludes to the holy trinity of Catholicism. The triangular plan is situated within a wider circle and is surrounded by three other circles to enhance the geometry of the building’s simple floor plan. The first section of the building shows the multiple layers of geometry evident in the baroque style building. There are five main layers evident in the geometric analysis above which are all symmetrical. The first layer contains basic rectangles, arches, lines, lintel structures, columns and dome which were clearly inspired by ancient greek and roman architecture. The second layer contains domes and circles with intricate details. The third layer contains arches, rectangles, columns and the introduction of polygonal geometry. The fourth layer contains domes connected together to form various polygons shown in the second section. The combination of circles, semicircles and polygons create a kaleidoscope of intricate and detailed geometry. The fifth layer is a combination of simple geometric shapes which form an apex on the top of the building.

 

 

 

Reference

GreatBuildings. 2016. Sindone Chapel – Guarino Guarini – Great Buildings Architecture. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Sindone_Chapel.html. [Accessed 01 May 2016].

By Anson Lee 12574327