In the midst of the bustling urban landscape, finding moments of solitude and prayer can feel like a rare luxury. In recognition of this need, Filinvest Alabang, Inc. collaborated with the acclaimed Japanese architectural firm Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP Architects to conceive the Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel – a haven where individuals can pause from the whirlwind of daily life and engage in moments of reflection and meditation.
Standing as a beacon of serenity amid the sharp angles of neighboring commercial and office buildings, the chapel’s design draws inspiration from the grace and purity symbolized by the white Lily – a flower that resonates with the essence of Mother Mary. The chapel’s towering structure, characterized by its graceful curves that appear to embrace the sky, exudes an atmosphere of tranquility and comfort.
Nestled within Filinvest City’s River Park, Kohei Omori, the lead architect and co-representative of NAP International, expressed the aspiration that the chapel would become an integral part of people’s daily lives. He stated, “It would be great if people can make visiting the Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel a part of their daily life. The chapel is here to welcome them.”
Elaborating on the design philosophy, he shared, “We connected the kindness and gentleness of Mother Mary to the Lily. With this concept, we envisioned an architecture that tenderly embraces people. When sunlight bathes the chapel, it accentuates the purity of the white Lily.”
Positioned atop a hill, the chapel’s welcoming essence is further heightened. Omori explained, “It’s highly visible from a distance. Surrounded by two streets, a walking path, and a bridge, we intentionally created an open space accessible to the public. We want people to always feel welcome to visit the chapel.”
These distinctive attributes are complemented by the chapel’s sustainable features, ensuring that visitors can engage in their reflections comfortably. “The upper part of the chapel functions as a funnel, expelling heated air outside, drawing in cooler air from the nearby creek,” Omori elaborated.
He also emphasized the role of acoustics in enriching the worship experience. “Given that this is a space for reflection, we aimed to let people sense the passage of time throughout the day, facilitated by natural light filtering into the chapel.”
For Omori, who believes that design should evoke emotional and spiritual responses, the collaborative effort involving Filinvest and artisans from around the world stands as a testament to this principle. He concluded, “Observing how people interact with the building and witnessing how they spend time within the chapel, we realized that we succeeded in making it a part of their daily lives – a goal we set out to achieve from the project’s inception.”
Francis Gotianun, Director of Filinvest Development Corporation, shared, “Filinvest City’s vision has always been to create an environment that sparks inspiration and enables endless possibilities. After the completion of the project, we eagerly welcomed the chapel to our grounds, offering the community a sanctuary where they can find solace, protection, and serenity.”
The Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel is open daily from 6AM to 9PM. Regular masses are conducted once on Saturdays at 5PM and twice on Sundays at 10AM and 3:30PM. Additional masses on First Wednesdays and First Fridays are scheduled based on priest availability.
Don Ubaldo, First Vice President for Project Development Townships at Filinvest Alabang, Inc., expressed, “Through this chapel, we hope people can discover that within the vibrant expanse of Filinvest City, there’s a tranquil space where they can find stillness. We’re delighted to have collaborated with the accomplished team at Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP Architects in bringing the Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel to life.”
For further information and chapel-related inquiries, please visit the official Facebook Page of Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel: @LourdesChapel.Alabang.
