Location: Hanover
Competition: 2. Prize 2012
Client: Ev.-luth. Kirchengemeinde Vahrenwald
Church and Community hall in Hanover-Vahrenwald
The parish and church wished to realize a new community hall and free space on their 1,150 square meter property. Nine architecture offices were asked to design and present their interpretation of the church and community hall.
Our design is mainly shaped by the location of the new construction. Directly situated at the main road, the building marks a junction and important element within the urban space standing at a prominent place. The striking bell tower presents the starting point welcoming visitors with its exposed height. The new forecourt easily connects the new and the existing volumes.
Due to the urban situation, a sculptural volume was designed following a clear and powerful form language and presenting a new cultural and spiritual center for the quarter. The shape and proportion of the design is defined by the interior utilization concept. It was parted into two main areas with differentiated heights. The façade is made from clearly defined brick equipped with large windows. Overall, it results in a calm architectural impression enhanced by the choice of material achieving an appropriate timeless design.
The forecourt directly leads into the generous foyer stretching through the entire building connecting the rooms to the adjoining open space. The parameters for the work of the parish form the base for the floor plan and different usages within the building – transparency, liability, comfort and simple orientation.
The ground floor is equipped with the rooms for the daily cultural and social work; the upper floors provide the sacred spaces, rooms for events, the youth and children. This area is connected to the open space by an exterior staircase. The stained glass windows transferred from the original community hall tell a story of the former layers of time and symbolically localize the building at this site.