A Ferrocement Sculpture approach

A Ferrocement Sculpture Approach

Recreating Ancient Church Architectural Shapes

Simply and inexpensively

It is my hope to build a number of tiny self-contained off-grid guest cottages and include a prayer apse like the one we built in our chapel, in each one.

To learn more about ferrocement: Understanding Ferrocement Construction

From google:
"A prayer apse or eastern prayer niche in a monastic cell functioned as a private, dedicated focal point for an individual monk's or hermit's daily devotions, mirroring the larger architectural apses of community churches. These sacred alcoves feature in early Christian and Byzantine ascetic settlements, such as the excavations at Kellia in Egypt and recent discoveries in Upper Egypt.
​
Architectural and Spiritual Significance Orientation: Positioned on the eastern wall of the cell's oratory or prayer space, orienting the solitary ascetic toward the rising sun and the traditional direction of Christ's return during private prayer.
Design: Formed as a small semicircular or horseshoe-shaped structural recess or niche carved into stone or built with mudbricks.

Decoration: Frequently ornamented with painted or incised crosses, geometric Coptic patterns, or frescoes of Christ in blessing, saints, and symbolic animals like fawns or gazelles.

Function: Separated the area of canonical prayer and prostrations from the adjacent secular zones used for sleeping or manual craftwork.