Man O'War Chapel

2014

The client wanted an historically accurate white weatherboard chapel for private use, located overlooking the Man O’War bay and close to the MOW vineyard tasting room on Waiheke Island.

A thorough survey of archetypal New Zealand colonial small church buildings was undertaken before a 57’ pitched roof and 3-bay composition was settled on.

While visitors might be led to think the chapel has been there for generations - it has gothic arched windows with steam-bent timber frames and lead flashings - it is built with a sophisticated plywood stressed-skin structure and will be standing for many generations to come.

Ironically the iconic internal roof braces were only necessary for temporary stability during construction and are decorative in the finished building.

A 19th century bronze bell salvaged from the Christchurch earthquakes was installed in a traditional belfry over the entrance porch.

Collaboration with Tony Bedford.

Small white church with pointed arch stained glass windows and a cross on top, situated on a green lawn with trees in the background.

A small white wooden church with a brown arched door and steps in front, surrounded by trees on a clear sunny day.

Interior view of a small, white church with vaulted ceiling, wooden benches, an altar table, and large arched windows letting in natural light.