Photos by Ben Rasmussen Photography

The Semper Fidelis Memorial Park Chapel in Quantico, Va., designed by Denver’s Fentress Architects, was recently recognized with a Best of 2010 Project of the Year award in the worship category by McGraw-Hill’s Mid-Atlantic Constructionmagazine.

Project of the Year honors were given exclusively to the Best of 2010 winners that the jury considered “truly exceptional.” Selected from 100 entries, the awards program recognizes design and construction excellence in the region covering Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington, D.C.

The chapel was recognized with four industry awards in 2010, including a Craftsmanship Award by the Washington Building Congress and an Excellence in Construction award by the Associated Builders and Contractors. Forrester Construction is the general contractor.

Built using exposed timber trusses and columns, natural fieldstone and glass walls, the Semper Fidelis Memorial Park Chapel blends with its wooded surroundings. Evoking humble field chapels, it was designed as a sacred “sanctuary in the woods” where friends and families can honor the sacrifices of fallen heroes and loved ones, or host weddings and ceremonies.

The chapel is located adjacent to the National Museum of the Marine Corps, also designed by Fentress. The museum received 20 awards for innovation and design excellence within 20 months of opening.

More than doubling attendance projections in its first year, the museum has since earned its reputation as a top U.S. cultural destination in Northern Virginia. Its 210-ft mast soars through an iconic steel and glass roof, inspired by Joe Rosenthal’s photograph of the flag raisers at Iwo Jima, one of the most reproduced images in history and an enduring symbol of victory.