monolithic chapel in south korea explores concrete's properties and nature's organic forms

The Monolithic Stone by DFFPM stands in a large plot in Busan

Designer Cho Shinhyung from DFFPM – Differential Permanence Architectural Office takes over the construction of The Monolithic Stone Chapel in Busan, South Korea. Located in a large field in Gijang-gun, the church is built as an artistic installation for the purpose of prayer, studying the Bible, and honoring the landowner’s late mother. The design explores architectural correlations with nature’s geometry and playful yet paradoxical use of materials and their properties. In remembrance of the owner’s mother and her faithful dedication to praying every day for extended periods of time, the project shapes a small sanctuary close to the house. The space’s size and function meet the needs of one person’s practice. Covering less than ten sqm, the chapel composes a small nave and an altar with just enough space for an average person to sit, pray and momentarily lie down. 

all images courtesy of DFFPM – Differential Permanence Architectural Office

single concrete volume forms the Monolithic Stone chapel

The project of The Monolithic Stone, as its name implies, creates a singular uniformed space through the use of a single material. The design team experiments with Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC) forming an architecture purely from the structure’s volume and properties without decorative elements. Designer Cho Shinhyung states that ‘understanding that the ambiance created from this mass would contribute to the structure’s purpose’ greatly informed the composition. As a result, the design constructs a seamlessly composed UHPC mass. The architecture serves as a boulder-like presence for honoring the owner’s mother and praying. 

The Monolithic Stone Chapel in stands Busan, South Korea

Cho Shinhyung has recorded his two-year-long journey, from planning to construction of the structure in a design storybook containing the architect’s design intentions and rationale, as well as construction techniques and challenges in great detail. For the lead architect, ‘architecture boils down to creating a monument for the memories and wishes of the earnest and adding an element of timelessness to it’. Among the various stages of this architectural journey, ‘listening’ is conceived as a crucial part of the process, capturing the invisible and complex memories and wishes of the landowner, mapping and connecting his fundamental intentions, internal principles, daily routines, and future vision, and reflecting them in the architecture.

the structure’s volume is formed purely out of Ultra High Performance Concrete

the design explores architectural correlations with nature’s geometry

the chapel is shaped as a smooth solid concrete mass

the architecture serves as a boulder-like presence

the chapel composes a small nave and an altar

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project info:

name: The Monolithic Stone
architect: DFFPM – Differential Permanence Architectural Office

lead architect: Cho Shinhyung

location: Busan, South Korea

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edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom