The Chapel of Alegria Hills

6/5/2009

Every year, our staff in Architecture Network, spends a few days off away from the city touring the country.  This summer, we chose Mindanao’s “City of Smiles”, Cagayan de Oro, and the alluring island of Camiguin as our destination. After a morning of white water rafting, we decided to mix business in with the pleasure and so stopped over at the Alegria Hills development, which is Ayala Land Premiere’s first residential venture in Cagayan de Oro City. As a team, we wanted to view the newest project completed within, which is the Alegria Hills chapel.

Nestled on rolling terrain, Alegria Hills boasts of beautiful weather, lush vegetation, and a great view. Taking advantage of this, we designed an open type garden chapel, where one can worship while immersed in a tranquil setting.  Even the back drop of the altar is open, allowing the natural panorama to suffuse the senses.

The ground naturally slopes toward the altar like an amphitheatre, a set up good for channelling sound upward and focusing attention centrally. In good weather, the outdoor seating gives an awesome dimension to one’s prayer.  The roof, supported only on two sides to minimize obstruction, looks like clasped hands praying to the heavens. Following Frank Lloyd Wright’s philosophy of organic architecture, the structure was constructed in such a way that no trees needed to be removed.  Although the roof is prominent, the building footprint is left to a minimum so as not to disturb too much of the natural ground formation or vegetation.  The building follows the natural terrain to maintain ecological balance.  The natural stone cladding used was harvested from the neighbouring town of Bukidnon. SGS Landscape’s, Vic Duloong worked around the existing trees and designed the landscaping.

Even in difficult times, Ayala Land continues to build not only those amenities friendly to the physical habitat, but likewise espousing their buyers’ spiritual well-being. It is the approach that caters to both body and soul, a scheme inspired by heaven.