FRACTAL CHAPEL AT THE STATE HOSPITAL IN GRAZ
The Fractal Chapel at Graz’s state hospital by INNOCAD architecture, hosted by the Protestant Church, serves as a serene retreat for patients, medical workers, and visitors. The design is based on recent neuroscience and environmental psychology research, integrating biophilic elements and fractal patterns to create an emotional refuge that enhances well-being through stress-reduction.
The primary challenge in designing the chapel was to create a tranquil, healing space for recreation while satisfying the demanding requirements of an hospital environment. This unique space had to serve multiple purposes simultaneously: offering a place for prayer, retreat, and contemplation for patients, medical staff, and visitors. Aiming to create a comforting, warm, and relaxing atmosphere for retreat, tranquility, and recreation in a demanding hospital environment, the interior combines several biophilic design strategies – natural light, materials, and stress-reductive fractal patterns, developed in a transdisciplinary collaboration with Prof. Richard Taylor from the University of Oregon and Fractals Research.
Credits: © Paul Ott