The saying goes that ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’ but the same can’t be directed at this chapel in Maldonado, Uruguay that underwent a one-day construction process. Dubbing it the ‘Sacromonte Chapel,’ architectural firm MAPA builds the little open-air structure for a vineyard that spans for 101 hectares and is part of The Sacromonte Landscape Hotel.
Of course, the one-day construction called for prefabricated materials that were made in a factory in Portugal and shipped on-site. Architecturally speaking, MAPA’s chapel does not have a complicated design. The unembellished aesthetic of the structure does not take away from its purpose – "to provide a shrine for the patron saint of winemakers." Using cross-laminated timber as the main material for the chapel, the project does not only have an unbelievable efficiency with its one-day construction but it also has a warm and welcoming vibe.
Photo Credits: Leonardo Finotti, Tali Kimelman
Extremely Efficiently Built Structures
Mapa’s Chapel in Uruguay Boasts a One-Day Construction
Trend Themes
1. One-day Construction - The trend of extremely efficient construction processes that can be completed in a single day, offering time and cost savings.
2. Prefabricated Materials - The trend of using pre-made building components and shipping them to the construction site, enabling faster and more efficient construction.
3. Cross-laminated Timber - The trend of using cross-laminated timber as a sustainable and versatile material in construction projects, offering strength, durability, and a warm aesthetic.
Industry Implications
1. Architecture - There are disruptive innovation opportunities in the architectural industry to develop new techniques and processes for rapid and efficient construction.
2. Construction - The construction industry can explore innovative approaches to incorporate prefabricated materials and streamline construction timelines.
3. Timber Manufacturing - The timber manufacturing industry has the potential to grow by producing more cross-laminated timber products, meeting the increasing demand for sustainable construction materials.