K2S Architects, Ltd.

Vennesla Church

Vennesla Church
© Inger Marie Grini

YLIVIESKA CHURCH

K2s Architects

LEAD ARCHITECT/PARTNER
Kimmo Lintula

ARCHITECT/PARTNER
Mikko Summanen

SPECIALISTS
Sari Koskelo, Vison Oy, Tiina Ärväs-tuominen, Akukon Oy, Paloässät Oy, Hannu Koskela, Toivo Ali-runkka

PROJECT ARCHITECT
Sasu Marila

STRUCTURAL DESIGN
A-insinöörit Oy Phase 1, Koparak Oy Ismo Kovalainen Phase 2

HVAC ENGINEERING
Insinööritoimisto Granlund Oy Phase 1, Insinööritoimisto J.koivusaari Ky, Jaakko Koivusaari Phase 2

DESIGN TEAM
Mari Ollila, Matti Wäre, Matias Manninen, Iiro Virta, Anna Suominen

ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING    
Insinööritoimisto Granlund Oy Phase 1 Vallaistusperiaatteet Granlund Oy Tanja Silvennoinen Phase 1 Sweco Talotekniikka Oy Jarmo Hintsala Phase 2 "

GENERAL FOREMAN    
Timo Piippo, Kaarron Rakennus Oy Mikko Kaarto, Rave Rakennus Oy Antti Rantala, Are Oy Matti Lesell, Hsk-sähkö, Hannu Kauppi

PHOTOGRAPHS 
Tuomas Uusheimo

AREA
2200

YEAR
2022

LOCATION
Vennesla, Norway

CATEGORY
Religious Architecture, Churches

The new Vennesla church is a cornerstone for a larger church complex in Vennesla and will be a new landmark in the county of Agder, Norway.

Vennesla Church
© Inger Marie Grini
Vennesla Church
© Inger Marie Grini

The building balances between a sacred and sculptural expression, with joint use across generations for the congregation and the church employees.

The church is situated in a church grove extending from The Fjord of Vennesla.Between the church and the cemetery, an open space has been established that pulls together the footpaths towards the area from the south, west, and north, and is framed by the bell tower which also marks the church's main entrance.

Vennesla Church
© Inger Marie Grini
Vennesla Church
© Inger Marie Grini
Vennesla Church
© Inger Marie Grini

The new church will supplement the old Vennesla church and function as the main church in the parish. LINK Arkitektur has designed a bright and inviting facility for multiple activities. An efficient and open floor plan is adapted to multi-use and appears inviting and easily accessible to the congregation and employees.

The ambition has been to create an inviting and flexible church building to stimulate togetherness and experiences in the local community for generations to come.

The chapel is beautifully coupled with the construction and architecture well integrated into each other. Emphasis has been placed on creating a building that is socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable.

Vennesla Church
© Inger Marie Grini
Vennesla Church
© Inger Marie Grini

The church design is composed of several roof volumes. The chapel is placed at the back, the church square and assembly areas towards the front.

The building can easily be partitioned for parallel events and common functions as all amenities are centrally located. The architects have strived to design efficient space utilization and flexible solutions.

The administration's location on the second floor above the activity section works well as a separate but central unit. The activity rooms for children and young users are located to the south thus connecting well with the primary school.

Vennesla Church
© Inger Marie Grini
Vennesla Church
© Inger Marie Grini

In the process of finding cladding bricks for the facades LINK arkitektur initiated talks with the brick manufacturer Wienerberger to find the right product.

The choice landed on a cladding brick in color and structure especially made for this project. The brick has been named URBAN Frederiksberg LINK.

The U-profile provides clear overlap, relief and structure, which in turn creates exciting shadow effects and life in the façade, depending on the variation of light throughout the seasons. 

Vennesla Church
© Inger Marie Grini
Vennesla Church
© Inger Marie Grini
Vennesla Church
© Inger Marie Grini

Together, architects and craftsmen have achieved the goal of creating seamless transitions and corners, thus highlighting the U-profile relief on walls and ceilings.

Logs from the first church in Vennesla (late 16th century) are mounted on the foundation wall in the Quiet Room and under the altar table in the church hall. Artist Tor Lindrupsen has been responsible for the execution.

The new church replaces the old parsonage and remains at the end of the walk from the sunset in the west to the sunrise in the east, in line with the classical liturgy.

The architects want the new church to stand out as a clear backdrop at the end of this axis. With open arms, it will invite the people of Vennesla in.

Vennesla Church
© Inger Marie Grini


Vennesla Church
Site plan
Vennesla Church
Ground floor plan
Vennesla Church
First floor plan
Vennesla Church
Floor plan


Vennesla Church
Sections
Vennesla Church
Section
Vennesla Church
Sunken garden

K2S Architects, Ltd.
T +358 9 68313961
K2S Architects, Ltd.
Kalevankatu 31, 00100 Helsinki, Finland