Chapel of St. Herman of Alaska - Valaam
2019–2020Valaam Island, Republic of Karelia
Church of the All-Merciful Saviour - Abraham of Rostov Skete, Valaam
Year:2015–2022Location:Yemelyanov Island, Valaam Archipelago, Republic of Karelia, RussiaRole:ContributorCategory:Churches and Chapels, Realized, Construction Supervision, Revit
About the Project
The Church of the All-Merciful Saviour with a side chapel dedicated to St Abraham of Rostov forms the architectural centre of the revived Abraham Skete on Yemelyanov Island in the Valaam Archipelago.
The project was developed by Architectural Workshop Eidos for the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Valaam Stauropegial Monastery. Chief Architect - Yuri V. Kirs. The foundation stone was laid in 2015, followed by architectural design, detailed working documentation, construction and author supervision.
The church is designed as a tall tent-roofed structure based on the traditional Russian composition of an octagon over a quadrangle. A covered arched gallery forms the lower level, while the central volume, kokoshniks, octagonal tier, tent roof, lantern and gilded cross create a strong vertical silhouette above the rocky Valaam landscape.
The building includes the main worship space, altar, sacristy, narthex and a separate heated side chapel dedicated to St Abraham of Rostov. A technical underfloor level accommodates engineering services. The church has a footprint of approximately 469 m², an above-ground floor area of 281 m², and a total area of approximately 552 m² including the technical underfloor level. Its total height with the cross is approximately 38.5 m.
My contribution included architectural design at AR stage, development of the RD working documentation, creation and coordination of the Revit 3D/BIM model, architectural visualisations and author supervision during construction. The working documentation included masonry plans, facades, sections, kokoshniks, the upper octagonal volume, windows, doors, portals, interior architectural elements and detailed development of the upper lantern.
The skete complex was completed in 2021, and the Church of the All-Merciful Saviour was consecrated in July 2022.
Gallery
Aerial architectural visualization - overall composition of the church within the rocky forest landscape of the Valaam Archipelago.
Main church interior visualization - iconostasis, suspended brass choros, candle stands and liturgical furnishings.
Interior detail - Crucifixion composition framed by a carved stone portal.
Upward view of the main church - octagonal upper volume, clerestory windows and suspended brass choros above the iconostasis.
Covered gallery - plastered arches, oak doors, natural stone flooring and traditional hanging lanterns.
Side chapel interior - wooden iconostasis, candle stands and monastic choir stalls.
Main-floor architectural plan showing the covered gallery, central worship space, sanctuary, side chapel and service rooms.
West elevation - Architectural Design stage (AR), showing the complete vertical composition of the church and tent-roofed upper volume.
Masonry plan at elevation +2.400 - Working Documentation stage (RD).
Entrance portal and arch masonry detailing - Working Documentation stage (RD).
Setting-out drawing of the quadrangle and octagonal upper volume, west elevation, including kokoshnik detailing - Working Documentation stage (RD).
Upper lantern at elevation +30.100 - elevation, plan, section and architectural detail, Working Documentation stage (RD).
Interior design documentation - stone cladding, portals and architectural details with setting-out plans, elevations and fragments.
Interior mural scheme - preliminary arrangement of painted compositions, saints and ornamental fields within the main church volume.
Abraham Skete at dawn - the Church of the All-Merciful Saviour viewed across the water and rocky Valaam landscape.
Photo: Stanislav Trofimov / Russian TravelerLinks
In the media
- OfficialRussian
The Abraham Skete is being restored on Valaam
Official Valaam Monastery publication about the revival of the skete and construction of the Church of the All-Merciful Saviour on Yemelyanov Island.
Valaam Monastery
Read article → (Opens in a new tab) - OfficialRussian
Restoration progress at Valaam Monastery in 2018
Official restoration update directly mentioning construction of the Church of the All-Merciful Saviour with the side chapel of St Abraham of Rostov.
Valaam Monastery
Read article → (Opens in a new tab) - Church pressRussian
Consecration of the Church of the All-Merciful Saviour
Church press report on the consecration of the church at Abraham Skete on Yemelyanov Island in July 2022.
Sedmitza.ru
Read article → (Opens in a new tab)
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