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Article from issue 9/2004 »Konzept Ecclesiastical Buildings«

Ecumenical Church in Freiburg

typology p. 974 - 975
Architect Kister Scheithauer Gross Architekten und Stadtplaner | Structural Engineer W. Naumann & Partner GmbH |

Drafts
1:2500 Site plan
1:500 Layout plans/Section

Scarcely recognizable as an ecclesiastical building from the outside, this 15-metre-high monolithic concrete structure houses a Catholic and Protestant church and a community centre. Eight-metre-high sliding concrete walls allow the three parts of the complex – with a central common foyer and baptismal font – to be joined together for ecumenical services. The mood in the Catholic church on the western side is contemplative, with daylight entering via only a few openings. The seating is drawn round the altar. In contrast, a large opening in the east face lends the Protestant church a bright, lively atmosphere. The folded outer walls – up to 2 m thick on the west face – give the volume a strong sense of rhythm.