VISUAL THEOLOGY

Chapel of St. Ignatius (1997) by Steven Holl. Seattle University, Seattle, Washington, USA ■ Nestled in the northwest corner of the building, the Blessed Sacrament Chapel is an intimate space bathed in soft orange light. The white walls are coated in beeswax and decorated with gold-leaf prayers of Catholic saints. The focal point of the furnishings is a living Madrona tree that reaches upward to the light, symbolizing the struggle of life. From one of its strong branches hangs a lamp made of amber glass embedded with leaves and seeds. The Blessed Sacrament (the Eucharist) is stored in an onyx box in the center of the room. The opaque glass window in the north wall, which bears the seal of the Jesuits, was designed by Steven Holl himself.