project-category: sacral building

Last Updated on 17. January 2023 by Marah

in terms of urban planning, the design articulates a visible pathway from the urban space via the cathedral square to the main portal. this path is visualised by means of marginal interventions in the form of surface and material structures: the cathedral square features sandstone concrete paving, while the interior of the cathedral is paved with natural stone slabs of the same colour.
by raising the floor in the nave, the cathedral’s interior is connected to the space outside without a level change. the extensive carpet is fine-tuned to the colourfulness of the apse windows, thus connecting the nave with the altar area.

Last Updated on 17. January 2023 by Marah

The major extension of the parish centre in the Burgenland community of Podersdorf creates a complex sequence of spaces that are perceived as you walk through them. In urban design terms the old church remains the symbolic element of the entire centre.

The main direction of the space in which Mass is celebrated is swivelled through 90 degrees. This change in direction addresses the notion of leaving everyday life behind and preparing oneself for and concentrating on the liturgical celebration. In accordance with the liturgical concept the altar and ambo are made as “stones“ of equal importance and function as a longitudinally oriented centre for the rows of seats. The interior of the church is characterised by extreme simplicity and functionality. The predominant white used for walls and floor as well as the black for the liturgical fittings recalls the colours of the habit worn by the Cistercian order, which when first founded was extremely ascetic. As a contribution to visual art members of the parish community formulated what they regard as important about the theme “family” on a glass wall that encloses the new building complex: all this is presented for public discussion.