Our project for the construction of a new Catholic church in Oberrohrbach reflects the context of the location. It is visible above the trees and is another landmark in the silhouette
of the landscape. The new branch church in Oberrohrbach translates the new liturgical concept of equality between the ambo and the altar (word and meal) at the center of the congregation into contemporary architectural language. The rhombic basic shape creates focal points in the centers
of the two right-angled triangles for the liturgical areas.
“If a design draws solely on tradition, repeating what its location dictates, I find it lacking in engagement with the world, lacking in contemporary appeal.” (Peter Zumthor)
This internal and substantive structure gives rise to the outline of a figurative, ornamental, three-dimensional, and wraparound facade.
It consists of rhombic elements that are perforated in a cross shape.
The unfolding of the wall surfaces opens up the façade to light and creates an emotional sacred space that references the tradition of images and symbols in Catholic churches.
As a reference to the regional churches, the exterior façade shines in bronzed aluminum as an interpretation of “Schönbrunn yellow.”
“If a piece of architecture only tells a cosmopolitan and visionary story without resonating with its specific location, I miss the sensual anchoring of the building in its place, the specific weight of the local context.” (Peter Zumthor)
Invited competition,
2nd prize, 2005
Organizer:
Kleinwilfersdorf Parish in cooperation with the Archdiocese of Vienna
Project team:
Sophie Riegler
Reinhard Zeh
Model building:
Michael Ratheiser
Visualisation:
VDX Virtual DynamiX
Pictures:
© Herbert Schwingenschlögl
Section
Floorplan
