Finegold Alexander Architects will be presented with an Honor Award for Design from the Interfaith Forum on Religion, Art and Architecture (IFRAA) for the design and restoration of Harvard University’s Appleton Chapel in the Memorial Church.
Announced in the fall of 2015, the award will be presented during the American Institute of Architects’ National Convention in Philadelphia May 19-21. A total of 33 projects received awards in the program. IFRAA is a knowledge community of the AIA.
“The design brings the chapel back to its original intent—revealing a beautiful Palladian window that illuminates the east chapel and main sanctuary,” said Moe Finegold, Principal, Finegold Alexander Architects.
Built in 1932, the Georgian Revival Memorial Church features a single-barrel vaulted volume with the main sanctuary and east chapel divided by an ornate wood screen. The main sanctuary is a proscenium arrangement of seating with a gallery; the chapel located behind the gallery has antiphonal seating with a large Palladian window. In 1967, an organ was installed, blocking the window completely. The restored window returns the sanctuary to a dramatic focal point.
Finegold Alexander designed multiple projects over a 30-year period, including reorganizing/restoring the chapel and gallery to receive two new organs; restoring the eastern window; renovation of various spaces; relighting of the sanctuary; and restoration and replacement of the bell tower, roof, colonnades, entrance stairs and commencement podium.
This is the fifth award Finegold Alexander has received from the IFRAA. The 2015 award winners can be viewed here.
The awards
The Annual Religious Art and Architecture Design Awards program is sponsored by the Interfaith Forum on Religion, Art and Architecture (IFRAA), a knowledge community of the American Institute of Architects. Awards are presented in five primary categories: Religious Architecture, Liturgical/Interior Design, Sacred Landscape, Religious Arts, and Unbuilt Work.
