Sound and Space
It takes subtlety and empathy to update a church with a strong design. The Festeburggemeinde, consecrated in 1969 and listed under monument protection in 2013, exhibits several architectural qualities. Originally planned as a concert church, the Festeburg Church boasts excellent and unique acoustics. To preserve this, we opted for few and careful interventions that highlight the characteristic spatial and sound quality. Alongside new escape doors, seamlessly integrated into the side walls, the oak parquet in the church space was meticulously refurbished by hand, piece by piece.
Details
A folded supporting structure covers the almost square-shaped church space. Its reduced grandeur is accentuated even more by the absence of fixed benches and an elevated altar area.
The light filtering through the stained glass windows, designed by glass artist Prof. Johannes Schreiter, bathes the church space in a special glow. The dominant use of wood – in the form of the ceiling paneling and especially the parquet flooring – contributes to the warm atmosphere.
Our challenge was to implement technical fire protection measures and intervene in this space while preserving the ambiance of the existing building designed by Horst Römer and Helmut Baumgart.
Subtle interventions, such as the newly designed kitchen counter and the gradient on the ceiling leading to the restrooms, also enhance the communal spaces, allowing the Festeburggemeinde to reinvigorate its community life in representative rooms once again.
Client
Festeburggemeinde
Team
Gerd Hajnek
Florian Hübscher
Svetlana Kasemir
Location
Frankfurt am Main
Finalisation
03.2016
Photos
Eibe Sönnecken