New MCAST chapel

Archbishop Paul Cremona recently paid his first official visit to Malta  College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST), Paola. This special occasion was the prelude to the first celebration of MCAST's Foundation Day.

When MCAST's management started discussions with the Curia regarding the spiritual needs of the MCAST community, it identified the need to have new premises for a quiet/prayer room.

A building just outside the main gate was identified as a potential chapel. MCAST made an official request through the Education Ministry to the Lands Department to be entrusted with the use of the premises.

The selection of this particular building had primarily three major advantages: it is close to the main gate; easily accessible by MCAST students and staff; it is external to the main campus, which means that it can be used beyond normal college hours; and, the nature of the new use is more compatible with MCAST's policy.

After official permits were granted, structural alterations kicked off, followed by the installation of new mechanical and electrical installations, as well as new finishes.

Architect Jevon Vella was brought in to advise and monitor works, which were carried out under the auspices of the college's projects office. The concept for the MCAST prayer room was to establish a crisp, uncluttered environment that facilitated quiet prayer.

This was achieved through the use of simple forms and uncomplicated details. Ways to create a physiologically warm atmosphere was created by allowing as much sunlight to enter the space and by doing away with most hard edges.

The semi-elliptical plan was adopted not only because the space suggested it, but also because it produced a softer transition between wall surfaces and the ceiling. The idea to use an ellipse as a basic shape was perhaps partly inspired by the curvilinear spaces associated with the local Neolithic temple building tradition.

Historically speaking however, the ellipse was best employed in its purest form in Baroque architecture. Then, it replaced the circle and represented a greater degree of dynamic tension in building plans, since the ellipse is formed from two foci rather than one centre.

The unique, beautiful tabernacle was bought directly from the manufacturers in Rome. The form is based on basic geometric elements and therefore, perfectly suited the overall design programme.

A model that had a useful double door to mount the host was resorted to. This way, when used for daily prayer, there is no need for the traditional monstrance and altar, and the space in the prayer room will consequently feel roomy and tidy.

To maximise the available space further, sliding doors were specified. This meant that one could further cut down on conspicuous details, such as door handles. Moreover, all light fittings are either recessed or hidden behind bulkheads. Nonetheless, in order to be practical, a projector and screen were installed, so that the room could double-up as a meeting place.

Glass blocks were opted for, since they not only achieve the desired lively effect but help simplify the details and permit adequate insulation around the apertures.

By cutting down on the joints between various elements and materials that constitute the building envelope, particularly around the windows, both thermal and sound losses have been reduced.

Although the space has been isolated from noise generated by traffic, a level of comfort is still afforded by concealed HVAC and forced ventilation systems.

This way, the same degree of comfort expected in a domestic environment was attained.

Moreover, the use of timber parquet for flooring allows tactile warmth. In fact, it is expected that students will squat, kneel or sit on the floor, rather than sit on chairs. The chapel is fully accessible to people with special needs.

The chapel was handed over officially to the new chaplain, Fr John Curmi, immediately after it was inaugurated and blessed by Mgr Cremona.