Community Centre for Evangelical Reformed Church in Würenlos

Community Centre for Evangelical Reformed Church in Würenlos
© Rasmus Norlander

Community Centre for Evangelical Reformed Church in Würenlos 

Menzi Bürgler Architekten

CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
Reto Brawand

PHOTOGRAPHS
Rasmus Norlander

YEAR
2013

LOCATION
Würenlos, Switzerland

CATEGORY
Community Center

Text description provided by architect.

To provide space for its growing community of members, the Evangelical Reformed church of Würenlos tendered a limited design competition in 2011 for a new community centre.

Community Centre for Evangelical Reformed Church in Würenlos
© Rasmus Norlander
Community Centre for Evangelical Reformed Church in Würenlos
© Rasmus Norlander

The projected location was a field to the north of the cemetery, between the church building and the adjoining cantonal road.

This specification was ultimately disregarded and the new building constructed within the cemetery compound, between the existing burial plots, as this allowed a more harmonious integration with the surrounding environment.

Community Centre for Evangelical Reformed Church in Würenlos
© Rasmus Norlander
Community Centre for Evangelical Reformed Church in Würenlos
© Rasmus Norlander

A respectful and sensitive approach to the project, in which the members of the community always had a voice, made it possible to use a closed section of the cemetery for the building without causing distress to the relatives of the deceased.

Before the start of construction work, the remains from sixty old graves in the closed section were carefully exhumed and reburied in a communal grave.

Community Centre for Evangelical Reformed Church in Würenlos
© Rasmus Norlander
Community Centre for Evangelical Reformed Church in Würenlos
© Rasmus Norlander

The new community centre of the Evangelical Reformed church of Würenlos blends well with its immediate context and forms a satisfying addition to the overall ensemble.

While its contours and colours conform to the church building, its structure and materials assert an independent character without disrupting the tranquil atmosphere of the cemetery.

The structure consists of prefabricated timber elements made to measure in the factory to optimize the building process; the topping-out ceremony took place only a few days after beginning the above-ground part of the construction.

Community Centre for Evangelical Reformed Church in Würenlos
© Rasmus Norlander
Community Centre for Evangelical Reformed Church in Würenlos
© Rasmus Norlander
Community Centre for Evangelical Reformed Church in Würenlos
© Rasmus Norlander

The building’s skin consists of wood and copper which, as naturally ageing materials, will change their appearance over time. Its interior organization conforms to the various functions of a community centre.

The ground floor houses the parish office, a conference room, the social welfare organization, and the secretary’s office – in other words, the facilities that are used every day.

The upper storey offers two communal rooms of different sizes that provide space for events.

Community Centre for Evangelical Reformed Church in Würenlos
© Rasmus Norlander


Community Centre for Evangelical Reformed Church in Würenlos
© Rasmus Norlander
Community Centre for Evangelical Reformed Church in Würenlos
© Rasmus Norlander
Community Centre for Evangelical Reformed Church in Würenlos
© Rasmus Norlander


Community Centre for Evangelical Reformed Church in Würenlos
Floor Plan
Community Centre for Evangelical Reformed Church in Würenlos
Floor Plan
Community Centre for Evangelical Reformed Church in Würenlos
Site Plan
Community Centre for Evangelical Reformed Church in Würenlos
Section