Beck Oser Architects

Built in 1970 on Allmendstrasse, the church community center consists of two above-ground floors with a flat roof and two basement levels. Together with St. Michael's Church and the rectory, it forms a central plaza, beneath which lies the spacious hall. A staggered arrangement of the building's volume creates a sense of depth, further accentuated by a delicate, continuous concrete canopy. The construction is solid, with masonry and concrete walls and reinforced concrete slabs. In addition to necessary energy-efficient renovations, the interior spaces have been optimized in terms of safety and fire protection, as well as aesthetics. The building is now operated as a community center by a non-denominational association, but remains in use by the Catholic Church as the owner.

The enlargement of the foyer towards the plaza, along with the central, colorfully accentuated atrium, creates a bright and welcoming atmosphere in the entrance area. The raw, exposed concrete surfaces with board formwork and the terrazzo flooring were preserved, paying homage to the spirit of the building's original construction. For improved orientation, the staircase to the upper floor was rotated, so that all areas are now accessed via the central foyer. Opening the corridor on the upper floor to the atrium also creates a strong spatial connection to the entrance area and the staircase. This leads into the foyer located in front of the hall on the basement level. The new glazed frontage offers a view into the hall, where two skylights, identical in material to the atrium, bring ample light into the divisible and versatile space.

The outdoor area features a uniform material palette, broken up only by skylights. A shed with a concrete roof and two wooden enclosures spatially separates the area from the retirement home. By largely preserving the existing building structure, a highly sustainable project was realized, minimizing waste and conserving resources.