pablo millán's minimal chapel in seville is defined by radiant light and white surfaces

architect pablo millán has created a small side-chapel that forms part of a larger church near the spanish city of seville.

architect pablo millán has created a small side-chapel that forms part of a larger church near the spanish city of seville. the sacred space, which is located in the town of martín de la jara, houses the consecrated bread and wine used in catholic mass. millán sought to design a scheme devoid of any ornamentation that used light and materiality to enable parishioners to feel an uplifting spiritual connection.

referencing the strong axial geometry of churches and temples from ancient times, pablo millán designed a minimal space with a clear focus on the few holy objects found in the room. a crucifix is situated within an inset arch at one end of the chapel, while a baptismal font and candle is located against the opposite wall. in order to provide seating, five movable wooden pews can be positioned within the center of the space.

the entire volume is illuminated by a rectangle of light set into the chapel’s ceiling. this gesture, used in tandem with the marble-clad walls and flooring, ensures a minimal, luminous, and sober environment. ‘the search for light, possibly the most important task of any architect, has become latent in this project by making a container space that, because of its orientation and zenith opening, is capable of introducing clarity throughout the church,’ explains millán.