Romantic: Rene van Zuuk’s water chapel

A chapel designed that seemingly floats on water like a mystical object has been designed by the architect Rene van Zuuk for Weerwater lake in Almere, near Amsterdam. The design is the result of a competition held to revitalise the area around the lake and involving five projects altogether, including gardens, a bridge and public open spaces along with the chapel. Weerwater Chapel by Rene van Zuuk is a blossom-like object constructed out of CNC-cut foam. The external surfaces are covered in zinc panels while the interior is clad in warm-hued plywood. Accessed by means of a jetty projecting from the shore, the 80-square-metre chapel is in general to offer a place for quiet reflection, but at the same time is also to become a magical location for romantic weddings. As the Almere-based architect states, »It is a place close to the city centre where people can get married but it is also close to the hospital and can thus provide a secluded spot for mourning.«