demeaculumn--santiago: i

''some steps down: buried space

''a crypt usually represents the initial stage in the construction of a cathedral. ... in the case of the cathedral of santiago de chile, the crypt was the latest addition, ...

''slow fabric--following a well established pattern, santiago's metropolitan cathedral was built through a succession of reconstruction until the out line of its general layout was found in the late 17th century. ...

''urban matters--only after a process of rebuilding, which followed an earthquake, was its main axes rotated ... in its first layout the church flanked santiago's main square ...

''devotion and clutter--like an old person's home, the cathedral has acquired over the years a whole range of devotional elements ...

''reciprocal layouts--downtown santiago is inscribed within a checkerboard pattern: plaza de armas, its main public place, also square in plan, is simply a missing block. ... the church is both felt and used, in certain respects, like a large covered square.

''material dimensions--but a recent process of restoration has resulted in the partial uncovering of the stone fabric, displaying finishes that range from the smoothest to the most coarse. ... the primitive and the elaborate coexist at every level. ...

''the brief--also included in the client's demands were a new main alter and a small civic crypt ... as for the quality of ambiance sought, this was defined as a serene mood, one which avoided undue insistence upon the subject of death.''


rodrigo perez de arce, o'neil ford duograph 1: chile: crypt in the cathedral of santiago chile.