LOOK: Cebu chapel shortlisted in World Architecture Festival in Amsterdam

A CHAPEL designed by award-winning Cebuano designer, Kenneth Cobonpue, has been shortlisted in the world's largest global architectural awards program in Amsterdam.

Cor Jesu Oratory, a chapel for Cobonpue's alma mater Sacred Heart School Ateneo de Cebu, was shortlisted by the World Architecture Festival for its design for religious architecture.

Cobonpue told SunStar Cebu the global recognition will be a boost to the local architecture scene since the structure represented the Philippines through Cebu.

"I believe it's the first building in Cebu to be shortlisted for that award and it's an honor for our city and the design community. It makes us all aware that good design matters and we should try to show the beauty of our culture and environment in everything we build," he said.

The Cor Jesu Oratory was chosen along with six other religious structures around the world, including those found in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Suratthani, Thailand, and Murcia, Spain.

The Cor Jesu Oratory was designed by Kenneth Cobonpue and Arch. Buck Sia | via Johanna Marie O. Bajenting

"Made of bamboo, concrete and steel, the abstract heart-shaped structures surround an inner garden that is full of symbolism and poetry," Cobonpue said in an Instagram post.

The lead architects were Buck Richnold Sia and Zubu Design Associates.

Cobonpue said he was asked by the Jesuit priests from Sacred Heart School and business magnate Edmund Liu to design the chapel and recollection center across the school.

The Cor Jesu Oratory was designed by Kenneth Cobonpue and Arch. Buck Sia | via Johanna Marie O. Bajenting

"I got Architect Sia to do the technical plan while the concept was mine. And then we went through several designs until we reached the final one which is inspired by the shape of a heart because Cor Jesu means Heart of Jesus," he said.

The chapel, which was completed last December 2018, only took one year to plan and build, and embodies what the school's values are especially with its religious representation.

The Cor Jesu Oratory was designed by Kenneth Cobonpue and Arch. Buck Sia | via Johanna Marie O. Bajenting

"It's an abstract heart, usually drawn by children. One bigger heart and one smaller one which symbolizes also the relationship between the teacher and the student. Father and son," he said.

One unique and often overlooked material that Cobonpue used was the bamboo composition of the chapel, which is placed from the ceiling to the passageways.

The Cor Jesu Oratory was designed by Kenneth Cobonpue and Arch. Buck Sia | via Johanna Marie O. Bajenting

He said bamboo grows fast, is a tropical material, and contributes to the sustainability of the project.

"You don't see much, although bamboo is just around, you don't see much bamboo architecture. There's almost none in the country. This is something that I want to use also because it has good insulation, good soundproof quality and it's native and natural," he said.

He said the bamboo incorporates every element that is vital to the chapel, including passive cooling for its passageways, insulation from the heat above, and its capacity to enhance the acoustic properties during religious activities.

The Cor Jesu Oratory was designed by Kenneth Cobonpue and Arch. Buck Sia | via Johanna Marie O. Bajenting

With the trend in the industry, as it gears toward sustainable materials and practices, Cobonpue said it is crucial for designers and architects to take nature into consideration.

"It's very important if we can incorporate sustainable practices because it require less energy," he said.

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This article first appeared on SunStar Cebu.