Chilomoni, Blantyre
“There is no argument about the uniqueness of the building’s design. Beehive now feels complete as a Catholic institution because of the presence of the chapel.”
(Cecilia Chiyembekeza, Chapel Secretary)
Location
Beehive Main Campus, Chilomoni, Blantyre, Malawi
Type
Spiritual Well Being
Year of Construction
2011 – 2012
Design Architect / Project Architect​
Dawid Wiljoen
Design Engineers
Malcolm Savage, Sam Youdan and Zedi Nyirenda
Project Engineers
Hendrix Mgawana and Malcolm Savage
Total Building Area (Approx. GEA)
63m2
Number of Storeys
1
Construction Cost
49,810,262 MWK
(£49,910 GBP – rate correct as of 3rd September 2020)
Cost per m²
803,391 MWK/m²
(£805 GBP/m² – rate correct as of 3rd September 2020)

“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
(Matthew Chapter 18, Verse 20)

The Beehive Chapel is located on the Beehive Main Campus in Chilomoni. The need for a chapel on the campus arose during the Coronavirus pandemic of 2020, when managers and team leaders agreed that positive thought and prayer were important in overcoming the growing uncertainty and fear associated with the spread of the illness.

Previously used as the office for a former-computer rental company (now disbanded), the building sits on Level 02 of the site, adjacent to the St. John Paul II Leadership and IT Institute. Originally designed as a media centre, the scale and shape of the building nicely accommodates small groups for private, quiet reflection, and the high ceiling reflects the proportions of a more traditional worship space. The chapel’s floor plan is curved and undulating, and there are no straight lines in its outline, which softens the building and creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

During construction in 2011, excavation for the foundations of the building revealed an underground stream. To overcome this issue, the footings were required to be dug up to 5m below ground level, so that hard ground below the stream could be built-upon. The foundations therefore act like a ‘bridge’ around and over the stream. The roof structure and wall structure are completely separate; the external walls are formed from load-bearing site-made soil blocks, supported at regular intervals along the perimeter of the building by a series of blockwork piers, and the roof structure sits within the walls of the building, formed of four sculptural, tree-like timber columns. The columns are ‘lifted’ off the floor by steel feet, creating a light, filigree feel to the chapel’s interior.

All four elevations are populated by tall, closely-spaced louvered windows, creating beautiful natural lighting and successful natural cross ventilation. There are more windows on the half of the building close to the entrance, and fewer behind the ‘altar’ area, removing distractions for worshipers who may be focusing on the front of the room. Above each window, a series of mesh screens are placed just below the roof, encouraging effective high-level passive ventilation.
Meet The Team

My name is Rose Makwangwala. I work with the Cycle of Good as an Assistant Tailor. I use the Chapel 5 times a week. The Chapel helps me maintain my spiritual life on a daily basis. Even when I leave home without prayer, I don’t worry because I know I will get some time at the Chapel to pray.

Rose Makwangwala

Cycle of Good, Assistant Tailor

My name is Mary Kamwendo. I am the Cycle of Good Manager. During my break time I use the chapel for prayers. This helps me a lot because I know even though I’m at work, I’m not far away from my God.

Mary Kamwendo

Cycle of Good, Manager

My name is Cossam Namacha. I’m the Krizevac Administrator. The Chapel has helped me in so many ways in my life. In the morning I don’t have the time to go to Church and pray, but I don’t have to stress, because I know I will have time to use the Chapel. I have also made new friends and family through the Chapel. The Chapel is also a reminder that no matter what challenges we have, lets face our God and worry no more.

Cossam Namacha

Krizevac Administrator
The project contributes to the following Sustainable Development Goals
https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/
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