Lussi + Partner AG

Parish Center Gerliswil Refurbishment and Expansion

Parish Center Gerliswil Refurbishment and Expansion

Lussi + Partner AG

Parish Center Gerliswil Refurbishment and Expansion
© Franz Rindlisbacher
Parish Center Gerliswil Refurbishment and Expansion
© Franz Rindlisbacher

DESIGN TEAM
Lussi + Partner

YEAR
2023

LOCATION
Emmen, Switzerland

CATEGORY
Community, Refurbishment, Religious Buildings

Text description provided by architect.

The church precinct in Gerliswil, with its distinctive neo-baroque church crowning the hill, forms an idyllic oasis in Emmenbrücke. The 1970s brutalist church community center integrates seamlessly into the hillside.

Parish Center Gerliswil Refurbishment and Expansion
© Franz Rindlisbacher
Parish Center Gerliswil Refurbishment and Expansion
© Franz Rindlisbacher

While its volumetrics recede in deference to the church, it retains an independent, expressive presence typical of its era.

The renovation and expansion have clarified its structure, connecting the building with the height of the church.

Parish Center Gerliswil Refurbishment and Expansion
© Franz Rindlisbacher
Parish Center Gerliswil Refurbishment and Expansion
© Franz Rindlisbacher

The existing base now supports a new hall extension with a striking copper roof, eloquently signifying its new role as a public institution.

The renewed parish center fulfills a central social function within the parish community of Emmenbrücke. It houses administrative offices, club rooms, and classrooms for religious education.

Parish Center Gerliswil Refurbishment and Expansion
© Franz Rindlisbacher
Parish Center Gerliswil Refurbishment and Expansion
© Franz Rindlisbacher

The large hall serves as a venue for various events and a meeting place for the community. The construction of the multipurpose hall is designed as a wooden structure, with internal surfaces clad in ash wood, creating a friendly spatial atmosphere and optimal acoustics.

The extension is clad in copper sheeting, echoing the church's roof motif and differentiating the new addition from the existing concrete structure.

Parish Center Gerliswil Refurbishment and Expansion
© Franz Rindlisbacher
Parish Center Gerliswil Refurbishment and Expansion
© Franz Rindlisbacher

The staircase continues to be the connecting axis throughout the entire building, extending to the expanded top floor.

Transparency in the circulation space is heightened through newly added openings between floors, creating impressive views across all levels.

Parish Center Gerliswil Refurbishment and Expansion
© Franz Rindlisbacher
Parish Center Gerliswil Refurbishment and Expansion
© Franz Rindlisbacher

The collage of old and new defines the interior spaces, creating a playful and surprising inner world.


Parish Center Gerliswil Refurbishment and Expansion
© Franz Rindlisbacher
Parish Center Gerliswil Refurbishment and Expansion
© Franz Rindlisbacher
Parish Center Gerliswil Refurbishment and Expansion
© Franz Rindlisbacher
Parish Center Gerliswil Refurbishment and Expansion
© Franz Rindlisbacher


Parish Center Gerliswil Refurbishment and Expansion
© Franz Rindlisbacher
Parish Center Gerliswil Refurbishment and Expansion
© Franz Rindlisbacher
Parish Center Gerliswil Refurbishment and Expansion
© Franz Rindlisbacher
Parish Center Gerliswil Refurbishment and Expansion
© Franz Rindlisbacher
Parish Center Gerliswil Refurbishment and Expansion
© Franz Rindlisbacher
Parish Center Gerliswil Refurbishment and Expansion
© Franz Rindlisbacher
Parish Center Gerliswil Refurbishment and Expansion
© Franz Rindlisbacher
Parish Center Gerliswil Refurbishment and Expansion
© Franz Rindlisbacher
Parish Center Gerliswil Refurbishment and Expansion
© Franz Rindlisbacher


Parish Center Gerliswil Refurbishment and Expansion
Axonometry - Existing Building
Parish Center Gerliswil Refurbishment and Expansion
Axonometry - Refurbishment
Parish Center Gerliswil Refurbishment and Expansion
Axonometry - Roof


Parish Center Gerliswil Refurbishment and Expansion
Underground Floor Plan
Parish Center Gerliswil Refurbishment and Expansion
Ground Floor Plan
Parish Center Gerliswil Refurbishment and Expansion
1st Floor Plan
Parish Center Gerliswil Refurbishment and Expansion
2nd Floor Plan
Parish Center Gerliswil Refurbishment and Expansion
3rd Floor Plan
Parish Center Gerliswil Refurbishment and Expansion
Rooftop Plan


Parish Center Gerliswil Refurbishment and Expansion
Longitudinal Section
Parish Center Gerliswil Refurbishment and Expansion
Cross Section
Parish Center Gerliswil Refurbishment and Expansion
Section with Church
Parish Center Gerliswil Refurbishment and Expansion
Site Plan


Parish Center Gerliswil Refurbishment and Expansion
Southeast Elevation
Parish Center Gerliswil Refurbishment and Expansion
Southwest Elevation
Parish Center Gerliswil Refurbishment and Expansion
Northeast Elevation
Parish Center Gerliswil Refurbishment and Expansion
Northwest Elevation


Parish Center Gerliswil Refurbishment and Expansion
Detail Section
Parish Center Gerliswil Refurbishment and Expansion
Axonometry - Staircase

Lussi + Partner AG
T +41 41 2282030
Lussi + Partner AG
Neustadtstrasse 3, 6003 Luzern, Switzerland