St. Ignatius Chapel was designed by Steven Holl and finished in 1997. Located on the east side of the Seattle University campus, the chapel has a rather austere exterior. Approaching it from the north, you might think it's some sort of pump house or utility building.
Only the reflecting pool gives you a hint from a distance as to its more serious function. The bell tower, with its cross and and bells expresses the christian nature of the building, but only from the right angle. The symbolism of the reflecting pond is lost on me, though the rock is supposed to be the "site of the 'blessing of the new fire' at the Easter Vigil" according to the literature available inside the chapel. I haven't found an explanation of the grass patch.
The interior of the chapel is simple and meditative. I have been there a handful of times, and every time there seems to be an air of meditative silence throughout the building.
As far as religious spaces go, this chapel isn't necessarily the most impressive. It does, however, have two rather redeeming qualities. The first is its use of light. Steven Holl designed it to be "a gathering of different light." You can see this through the varying qualities of light throughout the chapel. There are strangely shaped light apertures and colored light (which is achieved by bouncing light off colored walls).
The second element is the detailing. Throughout the chapel, wood and metal come together in intricate and interesting ways. The main door is pretty unique as well. The light fixtures and windows have glass that are rather sculptural in nature. Basically, I'd recommend the chapel if you enjoy building design, but if you do not, then I'd skip it.
