STAIRWAY FROM HEAVEN | Samuel A. Budiono

STAIRWAY FROM HEAVEN is a concept to create architecture as a landscape sculpture in the form of symbolic stairway to draw men closer to God.

A real sense of procession is created with massive stairway that begins at street level and act as a metaphor of an intermediate between heaven and earth or a transition between the secular world and the sanctuary. Symbolism is used from the ground up with the expression of continuous stairway that kind of disappear to the sky reflecting the way to salvation.

The concept is ‘architectonic’ approach which is encased in a concrete massing with the accent of minimalist glass to bring light pouring into the interior. The merging of building and landscape become the approach of green concept. Landscape and roof garden mask this space giving credence to the idea that green blanket will blend with the massing.

A welcome gesture architecture by the creation of massive stairway meant to invite people. Stairway as roofscape of the building can function as pedestrian access to the facilities inside. The stairs that become instagrammable spots for taking pictures will lead to the AHAVA Wedding Chapel on roof top as the termination point. Panoramic sunset view of the city with mountain background can be enjoyed through the circular glass Chapel surrounding by water.

A floating effect of glass Chapel sitting on the water is a pure heart reflection to serve the community for public assembly. An open feeling has been achieved through all glass facade supported by borderless reflecting pool surrounding. The view from the roof top is spectacular and creates a highly atmospheric feeling.

Attention to details in the Main Auditorium are given to the craftsmanship of woven wall using combination of rattan, recycled wood, raw steel plate, wire mesh, customize mirror motive. The idea is to explore artistic value of local artists and yet still integrated with the interior design concept. Moreover all of decorative elements have the purpose to maximize acoustical function as combination of absorptive and reflective materials. Even all the ‘curvy’ wall panel forms including the dynamic wood form of balcony railing are intended to balance the sound within the auditorium. The ‘curvy’ expressions of all the interior design elements are also fit with the overall architecture concept.

The intention is to create a sculptured building represents purify, essence and harmony. There is a pure form as an honest expression of architecture. Integration of the form and a virtue of coordinated details will ensure that ‘harmony’ is not merely a poetic term but a physical presence. The mixing of the two elements, a dynamic curved line that breaks the static cube volume, creates spaces of monumentality and yet intimate in scale. Great symbolic importance lies behind the design, but its manifestation is unique, provocative and puts the viewer in mind to strive for an ideal.