The Chapel of St. Ignatius and Gayle and Tom Benson Jesuit Center, located on Loyola University New Orleans’ historic quad, provides a place for spiritual contemplation and an inspiring space for campus gatherings. The building’s simple cylindrical form, composed of textured, hand-made brick, harmonizes with the surrounding Tudor-Gothic buildings on campus while maintaining its own distinctive contemporary character. The chapel’s solid exterior evokes permanence and stability that reflects the surrounding campus.
Both inside and out, the building’s curved spaces foster communal intimacy. The layout of the interior references the traditional axial plans of gothic cathedrals while cross-weaving interfaith programs within the dedicated Catholic spaces – elevating Loyola’s value of diversity.
Location
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
Status
Completion 2024
Size
4,620 SF
Project Team
Trey Trahan, Brad McWhirter, Robbie Eleazer, Charles Weimer, Conner Bryan, David Sweere, James Babin, Jarri Hasnain, Nader Wallerich, Ryan Barnette, Sheena Garcia
Collaborators
Spackman Mossop Michaels, Morphy Makofsky Inc, Integral Group, Threshold Acoustics, Cost+Plus, Tillotson Design Associates, The Tobler Company, Eleven Visualisation
Awards
AN’s Best of Design Awards, Editor’s Pick in the Unbuilt Education Category, 2021
Tags
Spiritual
, Cultural
, Academic
, Artistry
, Atmosphere
Vesica Piscis
The use of this plan motif references the ichthys (fish) symbol for Christ, the interface between the spiritual and physical worlds, and the interconnectedness of all things. This led to physical model studies revealing the utility of using interlocking circles for all rooms, embedding the symbol of the Vesica Piscis at each threshold or portal between spaces.
As one enters, visitors are led through a calming procession from one room to the next. Each has a distinct volume for their use, with ceiling heights compressing and releasing according to their scale. The circular intersecting rooms create distinctive thresholds linking each space, a reference to the ‘vesica piscis’ symbol and the fundamental interface between the spiritual and physical worlds.
The interlocking circle plan creates an endless journey from the Campus, through the Narthex, and into the
Sanctuary – marked in the floor by the Stations of the Cross. By embedding the stations of the cross in the floor, we reference the concept of “Solvitur Ambulando” it is solved by walking.
This creates an invitation to activate the Chapel with acts of prayer where you can encounter the liturgical art held within the chapel such as (1) the Corpus of Christ, (2) the Statue of St. Ignatius, (3) the Statue of Mary all by artist Bruno Walpoth which continually circumnavigates the (4) Altar by artist Joseph Walsh.
The liturgical objects in The Chapel of St. Ignatius play a critical role, not just in rites and rituals of patrons, but also the architecture and spatial organization. The baptismal font is at the geometric center of the building, and the altar is at the center of sanctuary. Architectural moments such as skylights, openings, and voids are all in direct relationship to the objects within.
Upon entering the main chapel, deliberate openings in the façade fill the space with natural light with framed views of the greater campus and nature. An oculus at the chapel’s entry connects the space with the sky and heavens above. Custom furnishings and liturgical items express handmade qualities, connecting the sublime with humanity.
The building exemplifies the core mission of Loyola University New Orleans in the image of St. Ignatius, to lead meaningful lives with and for others through truth, wisdom, virtue and celebrate the wholeness of each person who enters.
Trahan Architects feels privileged to be working on such an important project which will enrich Loyola’s Jesuit Catholic identity. It is important now more than ever to celebrate a faith that anchors us.
