Lunawood is a pioneer in decorative wood solutions, with 25 years of expertise in the thermal modification of wood. Their mission is to reconnect people with nature by bringing the calming essence of the forest into urban environments.
Lunawood ThermoWood® battens were applied in a chapel designed by architect Susana Carvalho, located in the rural area of S. Pedro de Avioso, Portugal.
Completed in 2018, the project is characterized by a lightweight architectural expression that elevates the building above the surrounding garden and paved areas on a concrete base. This elevated structure reinforces the symbolic concept of ascension while creating a clear visual distinction between the chapel and its landscape setting.
For the exterior envelope, Luna SHP 42 × 68 profiles were installed as vertical cladding elements fixed to the roof slabs and floor structure through a metallic support system. The battens are interconnected with evenly spaced stainless steel rods to ensure structural stability and consistent alignment across the façade. This application references traditional agricultural granaries typical of the region, translating local construction traditions into a contemporary architectural language.
The spacing between the vertical wood profiles allows natural light to filter into the interior while simultaneously shading the polycarbonate wall panels, contributing to thermal comfort and reducing the risk of overheating.
The entrance to the chapel is defined by a single large door fully clad in Corten steel, establishing a unified material palette that complements the tones of wood and concrete. Inside the building, wood surfaces are used extensively in flooring and wall cladding to enhance thermal and acoustic performance while introducing a warm tactile quality to the interior environment.
Within this material composition, Lunawood ThermoWood® supports a balanced architectural atmosphere by mediating between transparent polycarbonate surfaces and exposed concrete elements, demonstrating how wood cladding systems can contribute to both environmental performance and spatial character in small-scale civic architecture.
| Typology | Religious |
| Location | São Pedro de Avioso, Portugal |
| Year | 2018 |
| Architect | Susana Carvalho |
| Lunawood Products Applied | ThermoWood® Battens |
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