Description

In 1963, the Protestant parish of Mannheim-Käfertal was given its own church building, the Philippuskirche, based on plans by architect Wolfgang Handreck. Due to the small plot of land, the architect combined the kindergarten on the ground floor and the church above in one building. Access is via a terrace that can be reached by stairs. The cubic building rises above a square ground plan. The columns and the roof trusses of the reinforced concrete skeleton are located on the outside. The building was remodelled in 2007/08.

The conversion and extension of the Philippuskirche in Mannheim responds sensitively to the exposed concrete and the geometric proportions of the 1960s church. After the parish decided to relinquish its old parish centre and sell it to the Serbian-Orthodox congregation, the church needed to be altered and extended to accommodate those functions. The architects made two key interventions: firstly, they converted the existing gallery, adding a steel and glass construction on the gallery and accommodated a kitchen, foyer, cloakroom and storage facilities beneath, in a previously unused void. The glazed façade to the gallery can be opened onto the church interior as required. And secondly, they redesigned the previously complex spatial situation under the entrance staircase to make space for some attractive new rooms which are used as group rooms for children as well as senior citizens, for parish council meetings, for events and as a church space in winter. While the main entrance to the church remained unchanged, a new lift provides barrier-free access to the basement, church level and gallery.

By introducing new fittings that make adjustments to the original rather than major structural alterations, the architecture of the original building was respected. The historical character and qualities of the church interior from the 1960s have been preserved.

Originally published in Bauwelt 36.2016, pp. 22-29, abridged and edited for Building Types online, translated by Julian Reisenberger

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