A small tribute to silence, respect, and simplicity,
which, when transformed into architecture,
becomes the context and pretext for honoring life,
memory, and the journey taken.
To traverse, as synthesis,
a remembrance of life,
a step on the Earth,
a sidereal encounter.
The arrival,
a pathway.
The place,
a square, a resting place under the aguaribay tree.
In the background,
a white box,
a silence.
The idea:
To traverse it,
to connect the square.
To break the space,
to empty it.
To transform it,
to make it a motive,
or the idea an excuse,
a place,
with identity.
White box,
a reflective place,
in contact with nature.
A hole in the sky,
an intersection like a cross,
thus deducing
the point of encounter between the sky and the Earth,
between life and death.
San Jerónimo Chapel is an architectural work conceived with a deep respect for history and its surrounding context. Positioned in relation to a small plaza, this modest white chapel stands as a testament to elegance and restraint, defined by pure lines and a harmonious connection with the landscape.
The original commission called for the recovery of an existing crypt and its transformation into a chapel—an intimate place for gathering and reflection. The project preserves the original structure, and through a careful process of restoration, reclaims the site’s historical essence. The interior of the former crypt was entirely reworked, carving out a void that operates as a space of encounter—linking street and plaza, and establishing a threshold between life and death.
The central idea was to connect the street with the plaza, creating a subtle yet meaningful spatial transition. As one passes through the chapel, visitors are invited to experience a sense of transcendence, as if crossing a threshold toward the sacred and the spiritual.
The architectural design is grounded in simplicity and clarity of form, allowing the chapel to integrate seamlessly with its surroundings. Its white, minimal exterior contrasts with the green presence of the aguaribay tree, generating a compelling dialogue between architecture and nature.
Upon entering, visitors encounter an interior void—an open, uncluttered space that encourages meditation and contemplation. Smooth white surfaces reflect the natural light that filters through carefully positioned openings, producing a serene and introspective atmosphere.
The connection to the exterior landscape is a key element of the project. Large openings frame views of the aguaribay, allowing nature to permeate the interior space. On sunny days, light filters through the tree’s foliage, casting shifting patterns of light and shadow that intensify the sense of spirituality and connection to the natural world.
This small-scale architectural work brings together past and present while embracing the beauty of its environment. Through its pure geometry, its central void, and its meaningful relationship with the landscape, the chapel emerges as a sacred space for encounter and reflection—set within the plaza and beneath the shade of the aguaribay. It is a place that invites pause, reconnection with the essential, and the possibility of finding calm within the embrace of nature and architecture.
