"The Cadet Chapel" by Rupus Reinefjord is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
The Air Force Academy Chapel, located in Colorado Springs, CO is the most visited building on campus. With its uncommon look, it’s easy to see why!
It was designed in the modern architecture style by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill in 1962. In 1996 the Chapel won the AIA Twenty-five year award and in 2004 it was named a United States National Historic Landmark.
"Air Force Academy Chapel" by SarahHoward is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Reminiscent of a group of jet planes, the 17 glass and aluminum spires rise 150 feet in the air. The entire structure is composed of 100 tetrahedrons, each one is 75 feet long and weighs 5 tons. They are 1 foot apart and with stained glass between.
The Chapel accommodates a variety of different religious groups and has 3 main sub chapels, each one distinct. The Protestant Chapel seats 1,200 and features a nave that is 92 feet tall at its peak. The stained glass can be seen here and goes from dark to light as it reaches the front of the chapel. The Catholic Chapel can hold 500 and is composed of Romanesque arches and stonework. The Jewish Chapel seats 100 and is the most unique with a wooden screen covering the architecture.
Hurry if you would like to see it soon! The Chapel will be closing on January 1 for renovations which will take about 4 years.
If you are not planning a trip to Colorado, relax and discover another crazy building here.
