Being In Mass
A Chapel adjacent to ‘The Baker’s Tomb’ in Rome
The tomb of Eurysaces the Baker, 30 BCE Rome, Italy. Built to commemorate a baker who made his fortune trading bread to the military. The frieze’s depict the process of bread making, while the circular forms are derived from bread-making equipment.
The site: Adjacent to the, ‘Baker’s Tomb’ and Aurelian Wall
Plan at 1:100 plotted A2 of the proposed chapel
Section at 1:100 plotted A2 showing chapel in relationship to the existing wall and tomb
The Bread Eating Space within the Thickness of the Wall
A niche is occupied with a table.
Chairs are upholstered with the baker’s signature cross, while wheaty columns overflow with golden grain. The table is set with fine golden cutlery as dust gathers on the sliced tiles below. Thick floury walls are ruptured with an aerated porous wall that allows the soft glow of candlelight to warm the space. A chandelier rises above the table as the bread-eating process begins.
Approaching the Chapel at Night
Small golden windows echo forms taken from the baker’s tomb while dense thatch alludes to the animalistic.
A bank that trades in golden grain hidden in the thickness of the wall of the Chapel.
The Chapel at Evening
The pulpit sits in front of golden shafts of wheat. Grain columns with bread capitals support a balcony as an aerated porous wall allows evening light into the space.